GENERAL MUNTU VOWS TO BEAT DR. BESIGYE IN FDC PARTY POLLS

THE NEW VISION
KAMPALA, UGANDA
5th February, 2009

By Moses Mulondo

A week to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) delegates conference, the main contender for the party presidency, Mugisha Muntu, has vowed to defeat the incumbent, Dr. Kizza Bisigye.

Muntu, who used the just concluded women’s league delegates’ conference to canvass for support, caused excitement when he declared his interest in the top post.

“I feel proud when I see the sacrifices that all of us, from the party president, to the lowest person in the village have made. We want to ensure that our party stands out from the crowd as one that practices democracy,” Muntu said amid cheers from supporters.

“Our elections will show Ugandans that FDC has internal democracy.”

Col. Besigye attended the conference and listened to Muntu campaign.

In a separate interview, Muntu said he was not a joker.

“I will do whatever it takes to win the contest for the FDC presidency. On February 14 the media will be looking for me for a victory interview,” Muntu said.

Shortly after she was declared the winner of the women’s league top post, Ingrid Turinawe, warned Besigye not to take Muntu for granted.

“This race has been tough. There was a time when I thought my rival, Joyce Ssebuggwawo, was winning,” Turinawe said.

“That is why I think you (Dr. Besigye) should not take the race for granted. I pray that you beat our colleague Muntu.”

The audience got excited and started ululating when Besigye was asked to address them.

The excitement was prolonged by the disco jockey, when he played artiste Bobi Wine’s song Wamma ndi mazzi mawanvu (meaning, I’m buttressed).

Besigye assured supporters that FDC was the only party that had organised countrywide grassroots elections. He said the party would win the 2011 presidential and parliamentary polls.

“We made an evaluation and realised we were very strong at the top, but weak at the bottom. That is why we decided to organise at the grassroots. With grassroots structures in place, we are stronger than ever before,” Besigye said.