Jinja East: Campaigns heat up as opposition, NRM square off

With just days remaining to the polling day for the Jinja East by election, NRM and opposition activists have intensified campaign for their respective candidates.

Jinja East goes to polls on March 15 to elect an MP after the incumbent, Igeme Nabeta was thrown out by court.

NRM's Nabeta faces stiff challenge from FDC's Paul Mwiru.

As the NRM camp led by the Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba intensifies their door to door campaigns, the opposition side is holding outfield rallies.

Over the weekend Lumumba and other party leaders joined their candidate Nabeta to solicit for votes. They made several stop overs including among people living in the fishing villages where fishermen were found in their canoes.

In her message to the electorate, Lumumba asked voters in Jinja East constituency to vote for Nabeta if they need effective service delivery from the NRM government.

"Among the candidates it is only Nathan Igeme Nabeta who can reach in the sitting room where government plans for the country. When you send other candidates they will stop at the gate" Lumumba told the voters at Loco

village.

Nabeta had no kind words for the opposition politicians who he said have made it a routine to underscore what he has done for the people of Jinja East when he was the area legislator.

"Other candidates have started getting other politicians elsewhere to come with intent to abuse me left, right centre but I am not moved.  It also shows that I am a force to reckon with" Nabeta said

Meanwhile, the opposition camp has been boosted by the coming back of the Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from the US.

On Saturday Kyagulanyi received a heroic welcome to Jinja and traffic on some streets came to a standstill as enthusiastic opposition supporters thronged the streets to welcome him.

Kyagulanyi joined other opposition politicians at a rally held at Walukuba West Community play ground.

In his speech he said that despite the numerous calls from NRM camp asking him not to come to Jinja East, he has decided to support Paul Mwiru because he shares the same values with him.

"When I announced my intention to come to Jinja East, I received many calls from the other camp asking me how much [money] I want such I stay in Kampala and don't come to Jinja East," he said.

He added that he will be in Jinja East this week for door to door campaigns.

Mwiru asked voters to support him arguing that he is the best choice among the eight aspirants.

"During my three and a half years in Parliament, it is on record that I presented the minimum wage bill as a private member. None among the contestants has the potential to do it," Mwiru said.

By Hakim Kanyere