There's no UPC support left in Kigezi, says Prof Makara

Senior political analyst Sabiiti Makara has told Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party leadership they no longer have support within the Kigezi and Ankole regions at large.

During the UPC reign especially in the first tenure of President Milton Obote, the party used to have massive support within Kigezi and Ankole sub-regions.

But the party’s support in the region has wilted and, currently, UPC has support only in Lango sub-region.

On Saturday, UPC president Jimmy Akena is expected in Kabale to open the party regional offices as well as consultative meeting.

While speaking to Nile Post, Prof Makara noted that UPC as party that gained impendence was in power for quite some time that made it popular in Kigezi and Ankole sub-region however he notes that in the last 35 years UPC has lost support within the Kigezi sub-region.

He said to a larger extent UPC has lost its support over the years due to lack of its initiatives to organize its membership.

Makara further wonders what methods Akena will use to make sure that UPC gains back its support not only in Kigezi but rather country wide saying that UPC president has a long journey to gain back support especially among the youth.

“UPC is party that gained independence and was in power for quite some time and, in fact, it was very popular in Ankole and Kigezi," Makara said.

"Many of the politicians who are still alive and those who retired were generally UPC or they used to be called congress men and women. I think in the last 35 years, UPC has been going down in terms of support in this region of Kigezi."

The renowned scholar said has tried to bring back the UPC support but he has failed since he has centred himself only in Lango sub-region.

"UPC has lost its magnet which it used to have, I don’t know what Akena will do to bring back the support," Prof Makara added.

However, UPC supporters still insist that they still have support within the Greater Kigezi.

Annet Kyomuhangi, the party's regional assistant coordinator, says they still have support in the region.

She further adds that they are hopeful that after opening the office their supporters will have a proper address.

“We still have much support here in Kigezi ad now that our president is coming to officially open up offices," she said.

Tinto Tugume, a UPC supporter from Rubanda District, said they have fought much in maintaining the support of their party in the region.

He adds that now that the party president was coming to the region, it will help them to even bring back the supporters that had lost hope.

Tugume hopes Akena's tour of the country will help UPC regain the support .