We have participated in a number of by-elections but every election provides its own lessons and challenges to learn from. This particular message is based on some of the experiences we have learned from the Busongora South by-election in Kasese district.
We wish to commend the demonstrated love and zeal by the colleague NRM MPs, and other senior leaders from Kasese district. These include Hon. Dr Crispus Kiyonga, CEC member and Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga, the Minister of State for ICT, MP Kasese Municipality, Hon.Ferigo Kambale, and Hon. Sowedi Kitanya, MP Busongora North.
From the time their colleague's election was annulled by the Court of Appeal, they all resolved that an "attack" on any of them was an attack against the entire NRM family, and therefore decided to make a collective defence of Hon. Mujungu's seat. The MPs decided to take leave from their Parliamentary and government work until their colleague's seat was recaptured so that they could resume Parliament together! This demonstrable act of kindness and empathy is very rear and must be applauded. The MPs together with the Kasese NRM DEC Chairman and CEC member, Hon Kiyonga sought out the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong and assured him that they wouldn't rest until they have reclaimed the NRM seat.
These leaders did not only promise and stopped at that, but they all returned to Kasese and their single most important activity every day has been the Busongora South by-election. They clearly defined their task, drew up a strategy and assembled the necessary manpower and equipment, often calling in the necessary reinforcement from the party secretariat, government and wherever.
Their modus operandi, almost unprecedented, was something that should be encouraged, documented and emulated. They mobilised various resources, including their personal resources for a cause others would have easily felt it isn't any of their business! I got surprised when an MP from another constituency was selected to head the campaign taskforce for another constituency and he accepted! Hon Kambale Ferigo has been the head of the taskforce assisted by Hon Sowedi, with Hon. Kabyanga as head of special operations! All this was centrally coordinated by the workaholic technocratic CEC member Dr. Crispus Kiyonga.
Their organisation in the district made it easier for whoever wanted to lend a hand, and the collective effort resulted into the resounding victory that has been registered.
The reinforcements also came in handy! The NRM secretariat pitched camp, like it has done elsewhere, until the entire process escalated to the propulsion by the CEC members, Rt.Hon. Al-Haji Moses Kigongo, the 1st National Vice Chairman of NRM, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Vice Chairman for Western Uganda and Minister for Information, ICT and National Guidance. The climax came when Her Excellency the Vice President, Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, capped up the campaign process when they addressed two mega rallies at Rukoki and Karusandara. Her Excellency the Vice President represented His Excellency the President of Uganda and National Chairman of NRM, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The government Ministers were also very visible to explain service delivery or the absence of it, the Members of Parliament from outside Kasese and many well wishers. All this energised the local NRM leaders in Kasese who for a very long time had been almost intimidated by the noisy opposition.
The security apparatus headed by the RDC, Lt. Col. Walusimbi and the allied forces created the necessary environment for peaceful campaigns and generally free and fair elections.
Forgive us for singling out Kasese this time but other lessons learned elsewhere are going to be documented and applauded too, where necessary.
EMMANUEL LUMALA DOMBO,
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION NRM SECRETARIAT