Museveni to abscond second Uganda presidential debate
By Carren Papai
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda will abscond the second presidential debate slated for Feb 14th 2016.
Reports from his representative Maria Mutesi says that Museveni will be making his campaign final touches to lure people to vote for him and would not find time to attend the Presidential debate.
It should be noted that it is not the first time for President Museveni to evade such a debate, in the year 1996 he also eluded a debate with his opponent Dr. Paul Ssemogerere
President Museni avoided the 1st presidential Campaign held on January terming it an act for the’ kids’ a statement that elicited mixed reactions from the critics.
The Ugandan National Elections will be held on 18th Febuary 2016 and with just eight days left to elections, government has declared February 18 a public holiday, to allow all registered voters to participate in the forthcoming presidential polls.
A communication issued Wednesday by permanent secretary public service ministry Catherine Bitarakwate said “First Deputy Prime Minister and minister of Public Service informs the general public that Thursday 18th February, 2016 will be a public holiday to allow Ugandans participate in the National voting activities being organized by the Independent Electoral Commission.”
Eight candidates are vying for the presidency in the elections with only one female contestant.
The candidates inculude; National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s Yoweri Museveni, who has led the country for 30 years now and is eying a fifth term in office, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)’s Kizza Besigye, a former colonel in the Ugandan army and three time loser for the presidential seat, Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart running as an independent, Benon Biraaro, former state house employee Maureen Kyalya and Prof Venansius Baryamureeba.
Other candidates are pastor Abed Bwanika, who has vowed to “rehabilitate homosexuals” and fellow evangelist Joseph Mabirizi, who is the youngest of the challengers at 40 years.
Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has said no Ugandan should go into exile or become a refugee because of election results or bad governance.
“I don’t want a situation where some of our people feel they are not exactly Ugandans because other members of the community regard them differently.
The former prime minister said the country needs political stability and an end to the anxiety that grips citizens each time there is an election.
