{UAH} Second Presidential debate attracted more viewers worldwide!

Again more and more millions of viewers were glued to their

screens to follow the second set of the great Ugandan debate in which

the incumbent took courage to participate, although under certain pre-arranged conditions that appear to have relegated Moderator Shaka Ssali to a dimly lit mind! In any case all the candidates are to thank for the effort which would preferably inaugurate not a parenthesis but permanently modern outlook and action in the nation's political life. Reactions are numerous in praise of the organizers both international and local, including the national elders committee and the famous IRCU, an ever positive achiever which posted the presence of two great Archbishops, Odama and Ntagali, whose faces many viewers still remembered when they recalled the occasion of the Pope's visit to Uganda recently.

The debate together with its moderators and the wonderful audience in presence was a moment for many to reflect on the need to create strong institutions in Uganda with authority to decide firmly on issues that can be judged causers of conflict and misunderstanding! The elders committee and the IRCU with the authority they had on the eight great candidates were something that hinted on  such a possibility!

More and more millions of viewers all over the planet enjoyed the debate. Most of the very many blogs that connected directly with Kampala had at least not less than 50,000 viewers. Added to that are the social medias, etc.. that received items from Serena Hotel or relayed them from other blogs. And the story is still continuing for those who now enjoy following the recordings. The event was a worldwide affair and it indeed showed how martyred Uganda can very ambitiously try to resurrect from its ashes and lead its society to mature political civilization! Let's hope that this already acquired credit isn't sullied by any bad events that could mar coming Thursday's great historic event!

While all candidates were commended for having come out heroically to show a facelift on Uganda's political image, post-debate attention is now centred on the big three, Museveni, Mbabazi, and Besigye. In any case it's one of these who will be declared winner this coming weekend. I hope the EC and other relevant institutions at play will see to a genuine exercise that will not soil what Uganda has recently been obtaining reputationwise ( right from the great historic events that characterized the Pope's visit to the excellent organizational capacity of the two debates). It will indeed be very sad if the polls are marred by any type of sottish political syncope. And it will be an open shame to the country! And I doubt whether this time the key actors on Uganda will sit arms folded without deploying any forces of reaction! No! And not this time! Turning to the big three, Museveni's chances are axed on incumbency and that's what helped him to toddle round somehow smartly in the debate, since most of the topics were globally in his line of action. He championed regional integration, a thing which, if it avoids meddling in politics, has much to offer to the region given the market it can offer in many things including tourism, agriculture, mineral resources, human resources, etc.. in a region so endowed with a very excellent climate! If the project goes well it will turn the region into a real world supernova! Museveni also had his point on Somalia as an African issue that required an African solution however within the scope of the UN resolutions backed by the AU. And his composure of a non aggressive presence within the group earned him some credit. But the issue with him remains the stiff challenge on the political terrain where blunders have been made! Just before coming to the debate, at a rally in the city, and just shortly a few days earlier at a rally in Bukomansimbi, Museveni had advised the voters not to poll opposition candidates because they could not take part in the NRM caucases in Kyankwanzi where projects for development were planned! For a President of a nation, is such thing as Kyankwanzi more necessary than the people's representative in Parliament where issues on development are supposed to be debated? What's Kyankwanzi?
Denial of finances to a district, for instance, would act as a boomerang that would recoil to the originator in a next campaign where blame will be in focus for unaccomplished promises and financial negligence!
I think this stand is spoiling for Museveni and NRM. That's why they now have problems in Sebei where Kenyan politicians, including VP Ruto, have come in to help woe back the people to Museveni's side. They had massively crossed to Besigye and Mbabazi!  Another point that spoilt for Museveni's debate was what appeared to have inspired from Mbabazi's programme on agriculture. Mbabazi promises placing accent on modern agriculture taking origins at sub-county level. When Museveni spoke about the topic he had ignored earlier statements that pointed to promises of importing more hoes to the nation and effectively distributing them to villages.

As for Besigye, he tried his best especially in reminding on the problems in the Congo-DRC, and on the investment, and the necessity to consult Parliament before sending Ugandan troops outside the nation's borders. He was somehow careful not to dwell much on Somalia which was a compound complex issue...! Besigye also made very good points on oil, reminding that it was a national resource whose discovery was not owed to NRM but to pre-independence period!. Nevertheless Besigye is doing well on the ground where he has sold well his "afflictions" and the need to mobilize crowds for finances intended for his campaigns.

Mbabazi, reported to be displaying the best programme of the campaigns, appears to have garnered many points in the debate. He was courageous on exposing the Congo (DRC) question and its consequences. In fact that country appears to be resolved on this! They want their 10 billion USD!

Mbabazi also had points on youth unemployment, a thing very well stipulated in his Go-Forward manifesto. He impressed by showing deep concern over the 83% of unemployed youths that the country counted. Clearly added to this is the way he defined security when he involved in its dimension unemployment, lack of medical facilities, and famine, etc... And he championed very well the diaspora cause when he promised to nationals living abroad the freedom to participate in national elections, the passport and visa question, etc.. Mbabazi was right on this for there isn't anything Uganda has ever achieved without any participation of her diaspora! And money and other means from the diaspora have benefitted a lot to our people at home.

The candidates have so far done their best to reach their campaigns to all key localities of the nation for the good of the electorate. And they have sold their credentials to the world as well as to the nation thanks to the debates.Let's now see how Ugandans in general will react on Thursday February 18, 2016!

G.H.K.

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