{UAH} 2016 RACE: Besigye Picks Nomination Forms

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2016 RACE: Besigye Picks Nomination Forms

2016 RACE: Besigye Picks Nomination Forms

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Former FDC President Col Kizza Besigye [M] arrives at the Electoral Reforms meeting in Kampala recently

By: Nixon Segawa

• Jun 29,2015
• 160 Viewed
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Former FDC president Col Kizza Besigye has picked his nomination forms, ready for stand as the opposition party's flag-bearer in the 2016 presidential elections.

At the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Chimp Corp Nixon Segawa says Besigye's nomination date is July 1.

A procession of Besigye's supporters is expected from Kampala city centre to Najjanankumbi.

The current FDC president Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu also picked the nomination forms today for the same slot ahead of the much-anticipated polls.

This means the two will have to have to lock horns before any of them takes on the ruling party's candidate, possibly President Museveni, in the presidential elections.

ChimpReports on June 10 broke the news that Besigye had hinted on his return to the national presidential campaign but most political observers dismissed the story as unauthentic.

Asked by a radio talk show on whether he would stand for presidential election in 2016, Besigye responded: "I am willing to offer myself for whatever it takes, whatever will advance the struggle to the transition that we need; I will be available."

Besigye's 2016 bid comes only less than a year after he vowed never to contest again in an election where President Museveni is a candidate.

In November last year, Dr Besigye told media that he would not stand in 2016 and that he would use "other means to dismantle the dictatorship."

He however, reverted this stance in June, saying contesting to become a president has no limits, citing Nigeria's newly elected President Muhammad Buhari, who won the election on the fourth attempt.

"There is a big difference between seeking a term and serving a term. Anybody who goes in an election is not serving a term, he is seeking that term and certainly terms can be sought as many times as the seeker of the term wants. There's absolutely no harm in that," said Besigye.

He also scoffed at Ugandans who are against his candidacy, noting that he in fact is not obsessed with contesting in elections.

"I have heard people against my candidacy; they want me to allow others to also taste, etc. It's as though some people think that being a candidate to challenge a dictator is a cup of tea, and that it's something I look forward to undertake. No! It's actually a tough call, I have been a candidate 3 times and I can tell you it's a tough call from all angles," he added.

"Candidates get out of the campaigns in a pretty bad shape; it is a huge cost on the person. You saw, my sister Beti Kamya in 2011; she needed a medical operation in the middle of the election!"

He added, "It's a huge toll on your personal resources and your family. I'm not dying to be a candidate, but I am willing to offer myself for whatever it takes, whatever will advance the struggle to the transition we need I will be available."

Besigye's decision to take on President for the fourth time, it is reported, was largely informed by pressure from a section of FDC members who believe that his absence in next year's election means that Museveni will sail through with ease.

Reports indicate that supporters have been constantly thronging his home in Kasangati, pushing him to drop his earlier stance and offer himself for 2016.

The FDC youth recently mobilised money to facilitate Besigye's campaigns.

http://chimpreports.com/2016-race-besigye-picks-nomination-forms/

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