Kampala: The number of presidential aspirants for Uganda’s 2021 election continues to grow despite concerns about the Electoral Commission’s plan for virtual campaigns. The latest entrant, former army commander Maj-Gen Mugisha Muntu, got the ticket to represent a party he recently founded after leaving the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Others are former journalist-turned preacher Joseph Kabuleta, a rabid critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s government who is also challenging in court the Electoral Commission’s campaign regulations; former spy chief Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde; Charles Rwomushana, a former operative at the Internal Security Organisation turned-political commentator who has written to the commission seeking clearance and guidance on gathering the legally mandated signatures from three thirds of all the country in Covid-19 regulations.
Then there is the People Power Movement of musician-turned politician Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who says he has been endorsed as the outfits sole candidate for its presidential ticket, while the main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is reportedly courting its former president and four-time contender, Dr Kizza Besigye to again lead its effort.
Besigye and Bobi Wine recently launched a new joint platform, United for Change as a pressure group to push for political reforms. Another notable aspirant is president of the Democratic Party Norbert Mao who threw his hat into the ring during a town hall meeting to discuss “delivering safe and credible elections amidst Covid-19 in Uganda” held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel. It will be his second attempt.
