Uganda: 2016 year-ender review

DECEMBER:

Byanyima’s Presidential remarks

Dec.11: While attending the 21^st anniversary of Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), Oxfam International Executive Director and former Presidential candidate Kizza Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima told the media that she has what it takes to run for presidency in future.

“I have no question in my mind that I have the ability or even the passion to change our country.”

Byanyima added: “Politics is a game of teams working together but not one propelling herself. “If one day there is an opportunity and a team that shares my vision and wants me to lead it, I will rise.” Her husband, Besigye, has come out to say that his wife’s comments were taken out of context. “It has been presented as if Winnie Byanyima made a declaration to contest for the presidency.” He said in an interview with one of the media houses. “She was asked if she could offer leadership to the country and she responded that she can. That is different from making declaration”.

December deaths

DP secretary General dies

December 18: Democratic Party (DP) Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga died a few days after he suffered a stroke. His death was announced by DP President Nobert Mao in a message on social media. Nsubuga was also a former member of parliament for Bukoto South.

Opposition candidates win in two West African countries

Just a week after Gambia’s long serving President Yahya Jammeh lost to opposition candidate Adama Barrow, Ghana’s incumbent John Mahama lost to opposition challenger Nana Akufo-Addo.

Jammeh, who had been Gambia’s President for 22 years after coming to power in 1994 as a 29-year-old army officer following a military coup, refused to leave office while Mahama conceded gracefully.

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editor@independent.co.ug