Ruling NRM and Opposition stronghold FDC react to Tumukunde presidential bid
Opposition political parties in Uganda have reacted to the former Security Minister; Lt Gen. Henry Tumukunde 2021 presidential bid aimed at unseating the incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni said he has a lot to do in the process to convince Ugandans given his inconsistent political background.
Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde on Tuesday 3rd, March 2020 announced his presidential ambitions after he issued a notification letter to Electoral Commission (EC) to allow him to start his presidential consultation meetings.
EC is yet to give feedback to the General. However, among his plans, Tumukunde wants to meet women, youth groups as well as farmers in the course of his consultations.
While some opposition politicians are rejoicing Tumukunde’s decision, others are sceptical about his actual intentions in this matter.
“We welcome him to the struggle! Of course, we have to guard so that we don’t run into many things that we’ve landed in. you saw Lubalamira Lulanga who was this side and then supporter campaigning for Hon Nandala to be president, then he crossed back the other side,” Dr Gerald Si
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Besides his welcome remarks, Siranda cautions that Tumukunde should be aware that opposition is not a bed of roses as he may think; it’s surrounded with various challenges.
“But we can still have a contribution from them, for us to have a transition and all I want to encourage them is that this side is very hot, it’s not roses as they thing, but we have to walk with them on this journey to see a transition of the Uganda that we need.”
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Forum for Democratic Change spokesperson, Ssemujju Nganda in his remarks said that Gen Tumukunde needs an extra effort to defend his decision of becoming the next president of Uganda.
“If he declares that he wants to remove Museveni now, he will have to do a lot of explanations for people to believe him that he’s serious. That’s the first problem he’s facing,” Ssemujju noted.
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“But the feeling I have and I know many people have, is that Tumukunde may not even live to the nominations. He looked like someone when few things are sorted out, along the way he will tell you after consultations he has found out that Museveni is the best thing that has ever ha
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“You see Mr Museveni is an interesting man, the way he operates many times he will plant people, that how it has always turned out to be,” Joel Ssenyonyi, the People Power spokesperson said.
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Ssenyonyi then cautioned opposition politicians against exploitation for Tumukunde’s aspirations.
Ssenyonyi says people like Gen Tumukunde only look out to the people when things fall apart between them and their boss President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“Interesting things about these politicians is that when they fall out with their master, that’s when they think of being on the side of the people. When their master reappoints them and so on, all is good, but when things fall apart as it were then they call us their comrades an
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Nevertheless, Rogers Mulindwa, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party spokesperson encouraged opposition politicians to give Gen Tumukunde a warm welcome as they did earlier to Hon Amama Mbabazi the time he chooses to stand against President Museveni.
“Rt Amama Mbabazi when he declared intentions to contest against Gen Museveni, the opposition took it as a point and celebrated it; they can as well continue celebrating with Gen Tumukunde. Nobody stops them but I hope they pick lessons out of this,” Mulindwa said.
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Mulindwa adds that if at all Tumukunde wishes to stand as an NRM cadre; no one will stop him, as long as he goes through the right procedures.
“If he wants to stand as an NRM, then he will have to be subjected to the right procedures of the party,” Mulindwa added.
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After former Prime Minister, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi contested against President Museveni, there was hope the former premier would be his biggest political challenger.
He received support from opposition politicians, but today Mbabazi reconciled with his former boss. This could be a challenge to Gen Tumukunde as many will think he may later do what Mbabazi did which may frustrate his presidential ambitions.
Further Ssemujju notes that if Tumukunde is to benefit Ugandans, he should set aside his ambitions and lookout for a better Uganda.
“The Tumukunde that will be of a value not to the opposition but the country, is the one who is not looking for personal fortunes, someone who wants to make Uganda better, someone who is not motivated by anger that they have sacked him now I must show them.”
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