Campaign teams in Kalangala District are continuing their activities despite difficult lake conditions that have complicated travel between islands.
No campaign activities have so far been suspended because of the weather. However, Ms Kaala recently faced delays after her team chose to wait for waves to calm before continuing their journey.
Mr Rajab Semakula, the Kalangala District NUP chairperson, said the party’s campaign teams often travel at night because the lake is usually calmer during those hours.
“After a rally in Bunyama, we did not rest. We collected our equipment and travelled to Mazinga Sub-county while the lake was still calm. We set off at 11pm and by 2am we had reached Nkose, where we spent the night,” Mr Semakula said.
Campaign Teams Take Safety Precautions
Mr Semakula said NUP campaign teams take several safety measures before travelling on the lake.
“We ensure that everyone wears a life jacket. We also prefer using wooden boats because they are able to withstand waves and we always travel with experienced coxswains,” he said.
He added that campaign teams sometimes move at very slow speeds to protect passengers and campaign equipment.
Top officials from both the National Resistance Movement and the National Unity Platform have pitched camp in Kalangala.
They are moving from village to village to canvass support for their candidates.
NUP Raises Concerns Over Election Fairness
NUP leaders have expressed fears that the election may not be free and fair.
Mr Semakula accused their political opponents of influencing voters with money.
“So much money has been distributed to voters. Many youth now have no other work except following where money is being given,” Mr Semakula said.
Mr Richard Kiganda, the NUP secretary general for Kalangala District, also alleged that there were plans to manipulate the election results.
“We hear that they are planning to rig the votes. But we want to tell them that we are also ready to protect our votes,” Mr Kiganda said.
NRM Dismisses Opposition Claims
The ruling party dismissed the allegations.
While addressing a rally in Kalangala Town Council on Friday, Ms Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the NRM deputy secretary general, said the Opposition was only afraid of losing the election.
NUP leaders also claimed at the weekend that they had been denied permission to hold their final rally at Kaala Grounds in Bujumba County.
Kaala Grounds, located in Buligo Village, is near Kibanga Primary School playground, where President Museveni was expected to address the NRM’s final campaign rally on Monday.
Mr Henry Sebunya, the Kalangala deputy Resident District Commissioner, said authorities would not allow activities that compromise public order.