Former Security Minister Lt Gen. Henry Tumukunde has notified the Electoral Commission of his intention to run for the Presidency come 2021.
In 2019, Tumukunde first revealed that he was to run for the Kampala Lord Mayorship seat. The retired senior military officer went ahead to hold meetings around the city interacting with different groups of people.
Last week, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) withdrew all Tumukunde’s guards from his Kololo and Rukungiri homes. Speculations circulated that the decision of recalling the guards was because he had confirmed to run for the presidency.
In a March 3, 2020 letter received by the Electoral Commission, Gen Tumukunde says he intends to carry out countrywide consultations ahead of the elections in which President Museveni who has been in power since 1986 will also likely seek to extend his rule.
“Whereas Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 provides in (1) that an aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate within twelve months before the nomination date an in (2)-a; that he/she may “carry out nationwide consultations, I wish to notify the Electoral Commission that I will be proceeding to carry out consultations across the country,” reads part of the letter.
The 61-year-old General said his consultations will target various interest groups in the country, with a view of facilitating his decisions ahead of nominations of presidential candidates slated for October 2020.
“I will communicate those decisions to the EC as soon as possible, in any case, during the timeframe prescribed in the relevant laws. My consultations will also extend to the currently existing political groupings and/or political parties, security agencies and law enforcement agencies,” he added.
He said he joins other well-meaning Ugandans, to support the fundamental change which he and other guerilla fighters, including Mr Museveni, 75, promised Ugandans in the past and a peaceful transition, from one generation to another.
“While I expect all the other support that EC can offer me and my team to carry out peaceful consultations, as a presidential aspirant, I pray that the statutory mandate of the EC shall be respected by other organs of the state, and that there will be harmony throughout this important constitutional exercise,” he added.
EC spokesperson Jotham Taremwa said they would respond to Lt Gen Tumukunde’s letter accordingly.
However, government spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo said Gen Tumukunde did not have what it takes to be president of Uganda.
“It’s his right but I think doing it more because of arrogance, false self-actualization, and perhaps as a possible business transaction. Generals are appointed to lead armies, so, some of them falsely believe that they can lead under whatever circumstances.
