By Our Reporter,
KISORO
“Your poor living conditions are a testament that NRM has neglected you,” UPC President Hon. Jimmy Akena tells voters in Kisoro
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President, Hon. Jimmy Akena yesterday raised concerns over abject poverty in Kisoro district and other parts of Kigezi region, and unveiled plans to reactivate economic development in Kigezi.
“I am not happy to move around here currently in the rural parts of Kisoro and see how people are living and desperation among many people,” said Akena. “I would like to see a situation where the future of the young people is pretty much secured, and this, we can prepare them and give them adequate skills and knowledge where they can benefit from in this country.”
Akena was speaking at a rally to campaign for the UPC candidate in the Kisoro district Woman MP by-election, Mable Ingabire on Saturday. He blamed the high poverty levels in Kigezi on the ruling NRM which has for long kept at the fate of not meeting their needs.
“Your poor living conditions are a testament that NRM has neglected you, and the legacy of UPC for people’s wellbeing is self-explanatory,” President Hon. Jimmy Akena reminds the people of Kisoro at Kibugu Trading Centre, Bufumbira South.
“What we are seeing now after 40yrs of the government is not a good sign. We need to make changes and a change that we want to benefit the citizens,” Akena emphasized.
He urged electorates in Kisoro to vote for UPC’s Ingabire Mable stating that UPC has a right vision for the people of Kisoro and Uganda in particular.
I present to you a woman of substance,” UPC President Akena to the people of Kisoro while campaigning for the Party candidate Ingabire Mable at Ruhengeri T/C, Muramba S/C – Bufumbira South.
Kisoro by-elections has been marred by religious sectarianism and tribalism causing divisions among the voters. UPC party president said he was disappointed with the nature of politics in Kisoro.
“What I have seen on the ground is something which isn’t a good sign for where politics have reached. We are seeing desperation of citizens where any small token makes people to go out,” he said expressing displeasure over divisions among voters.
“I am actually hurt that this is the sort of politics which is happening in the Uganda today, when actually we should be sharing our visions on how we can improve people’s livelihoods and it’s a testament of where we are as the country we need to revise this and find a better way for Uganda.”
UPC has extended an invitation to Philemon Mateke, the former Deputy Minister of Education under Dr. Milton Obote (UPC) government and current NRM district chairman for Kisoro, along with other dissatisfied Kisoro residents, to return to the UPC. This comes after Mateke and others claimed they were victims of vote rigging in the recent NRM primaries for the Kisoro District Woman MP by-election.
“Our doors are open for everyone who feels that they can be recognized, or do better in a different settings. We are always going to be open and welcome them in board,” Akena added.
He however cautioned the government and it’s mercenaries and election stakeholders against attempts to rig votes in Kisoro. “This rigging has to stop! Let us have an open contest and work for the best interests of this country,” he warned.
Six candidates are contesting for Kisoro district woman MP seat by-election, and polling will take place on November 14.
