Museveni nominated for election as he heads for 30 years in power

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was nominated today to run for presidential elections that may extend his rule for over 30 years. Mr Museveni is a flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement, the ruling party.

President Museveni, in power since 1986, is being challenged by Forum for Democratic Change’s Dr Kizza Besigye his former physician and long time rival.

The other candidate for president is Mr Olara Otunu, a former UN under secretary representing Uganda Peoples Congress.

Also in the race is former local government minister in Museveni’s government, Mr Jabeli Bidandi Ssali of Preoples Progressive Party and Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao and Ms Beti Olive Kamya Namisango.

All the presidential candidates are required to raise 100 signatures from each of at least 75 of the 112 districts. The deadline for the submission of the signatures is Tuesday 3pm.

Today, a few minutes to 10am, National Resistance Movement Party Secretary General Amama Mbabazi and wife Jacqueline led a team of 20 supporters into Namboole Stadium. This is where the nomination of 2011 presidential aspirants is taking place.

President Museveni, the chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement was later formally nominated as the party’s flag bearer for the highest office of the land.

Outside the hall, soldiers, policemen and plain-clothed security officers kept guard.

Accompanied by his wife Janet, President Yoweri Museveni entered the hall at exactly 10 am. There was surprisingly, no jubilation in the room. Mr Moses Kigongo, who nominated Mr Museveni as a presidential candidate and and Mr Alex Onzima, who seconded the nomination took Mr Museveni’s nomination papers to Dr Badru Kiggundu, the head of the Electoral Commission, the returning officer.

“I want to thank the first candidate for coming on the appropriate time; your submission has been received,” Dr Kiggundu said, adding, “I dully declare that Yoweri Museveni has complied and is now nominated.”

Presidential campaigns start on October 28 and end on February 16, 2011, two days to the polling day, February 18.

Outside the hall, Mr Museveni told journalists that his party stands for liberation, democracy, nationalism, pan-Africanism and social-economic transformation.

“We don’t want tribalism and sectarianism. Why do you admire Americans and you don’t do the same for your own country? he asked.

As nominations for presidential candidates rolled on, retiring Kyadondo North MP and FDC National Chairman, Sam Njuba caused a stir when he handed a copy of The Correct Line;’ ‘Uganda under Museveni a book authored by Dr Besigye’s sister, Dr Olive Kobusingye, to the Electoral Commission’s chief.

“Read it, Mr Chairman. There are interesting things about Uganda,” Mr Njuba told Dr Kiggundu as he handed over the text which was only last week released to its author.

Taking the suggestion in stride, Dr Kiggundu retorted: “I will read it. It is my hobby to read.”

Addressing journalists soon after nomination, Dr Besigye did not mince his words against the EC. “We know we are participating in an inherently flawed election.”

He also said his wasn’t a coalition of parties that form IPC, but a cooperation because they all believed in one message of change. “I respect (Democratic Party leader and candidate Nobert) Mao.

‘‘I would have loved to work with him but he has a choice of whom he wants to associate with,” he said.

Dr Besigye, who was later to address a rally at Nakivubo War memorial Stadium, said his key campaign issues will revolve around the need to transform the governance of the country.