President Yoweri Museveni has said those that are opposed to his candidature in February 18, polls are doing so because they likely to lose the forthcoming election and are trying to call for a boycott.
While speaking at 35th anniversary dubbed “Tarehe sita” since he launched the war that brought him to power at Kololo Independence grounds on this afternoon, President Museveni said “the opposition know that they cannot win the elections and have resorted into intimidating people so that they don’t vote”.
Museveni launched the war in 1981 after “allegations” that the 1980 elections where he participated as a presidential candidate and came third and last had been rigged by Uganda Peoples’ Congress. So the significance of this day to him and his party is that they have made 35 years after.
“They know how strong the NRM is to be defeated in an election and are now resorting to intimidating you so that you remain home instead of going to vote,” he told the chanting crowd adding “It is a trick for them to deny you of your right to vote and cause violence.
Gen. Museveni promised that the NRM government is committed to a peaceful election and will do anything possible to stop the violence that is being perpetuated by the opposition.
He called upon the wanainchi (population) to ignore the opposition and vote NRM back to power because of the achievements that have been ushered in.
Clad in a black suit, the president highlighted the achievements of the NRM in the field of security and economic development.
He hailed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) for ushering in peace, security and stability in the country which he said had been mismanaged by the previous regimes.
“We have gone a long way not only in recreating the army but also recreating an enclave of modernity in the economy of Uganda,” he said.
Gen. Museveni told the audience that in 1962, the economy was an enclave of a modern economy in the midst of a substance economy characterized by three Cs and three Ts which are; cotton, coffee and copper and tobacco, tourism and tea respectively.
He said however by 1986 when he came to power, only tobacco existed for the Ts and copper for the Cs.
The President stressed that even import substitution products like sugar, soap, soft drinks, beer had been wiped out and people only relied on magendo (smuggling)
“Our mission is to have a fully monetized, modern and employed economy with emphasis on increased GDP” he noted.
He congratulated the UPDF for ushering in peace at least for the first time in 500 years where all parts of the country are peaceful.
He explained that he was talking of 500 years because even before colonial rule African were fighting each as result of conflicts cause by war chiefs.
He thanked the general public for providing their children for joining the army whenever they are recruiting.
He also assured Ugandan of guaranteed peace and security in the forthcoming election. “As we go to the polls, remain calm, and do not allow yourselves to be intimidated by anybody,” he cautioned.
He warned that if there is anybody who is not satisfied with the outcome from elections, such a person should allow the laws take its course but not to cause violence.
The function was attended by Army chiefs from neighboring countries namely Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Kenya.
