FDC Presidential candidate retired Major General Mugisha Muntu has wooed party supporters in Kapchorwa to stand behind him as he will continue to serve with honour and selflessness.
Muntu has been at the helm of FDC for the last five years, setting up structures which he said delivered more electoral positions for the party across the country.
“Some of us don’t look at ourselves but focus on the party,” said Muntu in a veiled response to his critics.
“For every time I have contested and lost, I have always supported the winner; I disband my campaign team immediately,” he added.
“This was not done to me when I won,” said Muntu, emphasizing, “After a commission inquiring into the 2012 elections, some party officials resigned.”
The previous FDC presidential elections were so acrimonious that many thought the opposition party was headed for a split.
Nandala Mafabi who lost to Muntu contested the results, leading to a commission of inquiry that exonerated the latter of any wrongdoing.
Several supporters of Mafabi quit their positions in protest, saying they could not work with Muntu.
Addressing supporters, Muntu tactfully used this experience to defend his democratic credentials and illuminate the weaknesses of his rival camp.
He added: “We are leaders who will form the government; we need to be given right skills. All these are part of my agenda when reelected. We also need to ensure that the party remains stable.”
The former army commander praised the beauty of Kapchorwa which he said could be turned into the region’s food basket.
“Anyone who comes here for the first time feels amazed by the beauty of this place. This is where the wealthiest population should be,” said Muntu.
“You are hardworking people. When it is crop season, there is no place in Kapchorwa where you don’t see crops. You have fertile soils. The only problem which you have -and we keep telling you whenever we are here for campaigns – is voting the movement.”
He also decried the poor road infrastructure in the region.
“I have gone through those roads between here and Kween and Bukwo and in worst times when it’s rainy season; possibly, it is the worst road in Uganda,” he observed.
“I keep on telling you that possibly we are the one who are going to work on that road when we are in power. The movement has been promising to work on this road for long. I highly doubt they will be able to work on it.”
FDC recently nominated five candidates vying for the party president’s seat.
The candidates are currently on a three months’ campaign process.
Other candidates in the race are Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Mr Moses Byamugisha, Mr Dan Malcolm Matsiko, Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa and former legislator Patrick Amuriat Oboi.