The NRM party leaders in Kigezi sub-region have formed a task force of 63 members in every village to boost and canvas votes for President Yoweri Museveni and their party flag bearers, targeting 99 per cent vote in the area.
In the 2021 general elections, 666,873 registered voters in Kigezi sub-region participated in the exercise and Mr Museveni won with an average vote of 83.2 per cent – 84.5 per cent in Kabale , 84.17 per cent in Kanungu, 90.5 per cent in Kisoro, 87.17 per cent in Rubanda, 81.7 per cent in Rukiga and 71.4 per cent in Rukungiri District.
The NRM party grass root mobilisation team led by the NRM deputy treasurer Ms Jaqueline Kyatuheire appealed to the corporate class to join the mobilisation team to guide the less privileged in electing leaders that will foster national development.
‘We have formed a task force of 63 members in every village in Kigezi region to boost and canvas votes for President Museveni and all the flag bearers to avoid a discord currently staged by the independent candidates. Each of the members is expected to mobilize at least 12 people or more depending on the population in that village,’ she said.
Ms Kyatuheire appealed to independent candidates to withdraw from the race and support the flag bearers, citing examples from Rwampara and Isingiro districts.
She added that denying independent candidates votes will scare away other people from contesting in the next cycle of elections after losing their party flags. She also asked the youth to avoid being used in acts of election violence to avoid related consequences.
The vice chairman for the NRM grass root mobilization team in Kigezi region Lt Col (rtd) Edward Natukunda warned that any person that involves themselves in acts of election violence shall be dealt with in accordance with the laws.
‘Do not be intimidated by the negative forces. On the voting day, come early and witness the opening of the ballot boxes, cast your votes and go home or stay 20 meters away if you wish. While at the polling stations, please respect the electoral commission guidelines. Security is guaranteed for all the voters and the election officials during the polling exercise,’ he said.