{UAH} Allan/Pojim/WBK: Showdown looms as Museveni, Mbabazi meet in Mbale - National
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Showdown looms as Museveni, Mbabazi meet in Mbale
In Summary
Since he did not launch the roads then – though they were already complete – some political analysts say his handlers want to disorganise Mr Mbabazi's rally
Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi is likely to cross paths with NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni on January 10 in Mbale District.
Whereas Mr Mbabazi will be in Mbale to campaign, Mr Museveni will be there to 'commission' roads that are still under construction.
They include Republic Street, Mugisu Hill, Pallisa Road and Nabuyonga Rise, on which the World Bank spent Shs12 billion.
Mbale was the first district Mr Mbabazi visited when he was carrying out his consultative meetings in September.
Like Luweero and Nakaseke districts, Mbale is of symbolic importance to Uganda's so-called Bush War heroes.
On the other hand, Mr Museveni held his campaign rallies in Mbale just last month (in December).
Since he did not launch the roads then – though they were already being constructed – some political analysts say his handlers want to disorganise Mr Mbabazi's rally.
"There will be a political showdown, which is likely to turn chaotic. You cannot have two presidential candidates with unresolved issues meeting in the same place," Mr Yusuf Makweta, a political analyst, said.
Mr Paul Butita, the coordinator of The Democratic Alliance (TDA) in Bugisu Region, said NRM is out to disogranise Mr Mbabazi.
"They have a hidden agenda of disorganising Mbabazi rallies," he said, adding. "It's contrary to the Electoral Commission rules governing campaigns and the commission should act before it's too late…" The EC spokesperson Mr Jotham Taremwa, refused to delve into the matter of the two presidential candidates meeting in the same town on the same day.
However, he added that there is nothing that would stop Mr Museveni from going back to an area he has been to – as long as he notifies the concerned officials and they hammer out a programme.
NRM officials refute Mr Mbabazi's supporters claim that Mr Museveni's team is out to disorganise his campaign rallies.
"He is coming back to carry out his duties as a sitting President, not [to] disrupt Mbabazi's campaigns as some of Mbabazi sympathisers want to think," Mbale District NRM chairperson, Muhamood Masaba, said.
Mr Museveni has never forgotten the fact that his former prime minister will contest against him in the 2016 general election. And he could eat into Museveni western Uganda support base and that as the schism in the NRM widens, some unhappy NRM officials could join Mr Mbabazi.
Mr Yusufu Magomu, a political analyst in Mbale, said the NRM presidential candidate is aware that in Bugisu support for the NRM is on the wane – because of some unfulfilled pledges.
"President Museveni is aware of how entrenched the Opposition is in the area and how the locals, save for the few who benefit from him directly, detest his party," Mr Magomu argued.
Mr Mbabazi will hold rallies in Manafwa and Bududa on January 9 and then on January 10; he will campaign in Bulambuli, Sironko and wind up with his main rally of the day in Mbale Municipality.
Eastern regional Electoral Commission Officer Umar Kiyimba when contacted said: "I will consult with my bosses. We are going to sort it out by making some adjustment, but according to our campaign programme, it is Amama Mbabazi supposed to be in Mbale".
Numbers
71,718
The votes Museveni got from Mbale in 2011.
40,827
The votes the FDC candidate Dr Kizza Besigye got in 2011.
220, 340
The voters registered to vote in the 2016 elections in Mbale.
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