By Sharon S. Tibenda

25^th Oct 2010

File photo, IPC leaders at a function in Kampala

Forum for Democratic Change party President Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is also the IPC’s flag bearer for the 2011 elections, has said Ssuubi 2011 is Buganda’s IPC.

Speaking to Uganda Correspondent by phone after he was cleared to be nominated as a presidential candidate, Dr. Besigye said “…Ssuubi is the IPC of Buganda.  We have now incorporated them into the IPC family agitating for free and fair elections and democratic change for the very first time in our country’s history”.

Sounding confident and optimistic, the IPC presidential candidate also said they are convinced that with Ssuubi on board the IPC, there was no way Museveni would ever win in Buganda again.

“…We now have very influential people like Lukwago, Namboze, and Mulwanyamuli among others.  These are people who have fought for Buganda’s interests for a long time.  They know exactly what Buganda needs.  So I strongly urge every single person in Buganda to join us in IPC so that we sit together as equals and resolve not just Buganda’s unique problems but our national problems once and for all”, Besigye said.

He cited opposition victories in a few bi-elections as examples to show that when the opposition works together under one umbrella, they can expose Museveni’s election theft and defeat him.

“…Mbale Municipality showed that it can be done and government conceded defeat.  Katuntu did the same in Busoga.  We also saw Betty Namboze, the small lady with a firm voice defeating Museveni in Mukono”, Besigye recalled jubilantly.

Addressing DP’s complaint that FDC was using the IPC to weaken DP by wooing people like Lukwago and Namboze, Dr. Besigye said it was DP which organised the function to launch the IPC but decided to pull out at the last minute.

He added that it was not for FDC to unite DP.  “…FDC rejects Mao’s view that we want to divide DP.  It’s not our job to unite DP but we shall welcome those who want to rally Ugandans for change”, Besigye said.

Dr. Besigye also revealed that the IPC now has a polling station committee at every polling station in the country.  He said as IPC, they don’t expect Museveni to refrain from rigging elections because that is how he does his politics.  The only difference, Besigye said, is that this round, the IPC has the capacity to expose his rigging for Ugandans and the world to see.

“…He will not get away with election theft this time round.  We now have the capacity to prove beyond doubt if rigs.  And when, not if he rigs and refuses to concede defeat, then we shall ask the people of this country to stand up and defend their victory”, a tough talking Besigye warned.

Whether by coincidence or design, Dr. Kizza Besigye’s focus on Buganda also came on the day a Luganda song/video urging people to vote for Besigye hit the internet.

The song by artiste Harriet Kisakye shows video clips of police and army brutality, it shows the horrible state of Uganda’s roads, and it shows the terrible state of our hospitals among many other things before calling on voters to vote for Besigye to sort out the mess.

To view this politically loaded video of Harriet Kisakye’s “Besigye” song, please click on the link below.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEQ_lRjbm1Q END.  If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!