A day after Forum for Democratic Change made a strong address claiming that they were still in talks to front a single candidate with justice forum JEMA in the Bugiri Elections the latter has come out to deny the claim. “We have gathered here today to de-associate with utterances which transpired yesterday in a press conference held by Dr. Besigye, Hon. Nambooze and Hussein Kyanjo and others.” Said, Ssentongo Abdul Noor – Spokesperson, JEMA. Addressing the press at JEMA Headquarters in Mengo, Ssentongo Abdul Noor Kyamuddu the Spokesperson of the party said, JEMA wrote to political parties to support Counsel Asumani Basalirwa and all the other parties accepted except for FDC. He said FDC responded with an invite for discussions of which JEMA welcomed by sending a team to represent the party and it's the outcome of the meeting that sent them parking. “Actually we are different political entities, we take no offense in Besigye not supporting us. And we agree, it is the reason we said we shall not bow to the pressure of conscripting ourselves into an organ of FDC. We are an independent party we said we shall go and appeal to the masses and the masses decide.” Said, Ssentongo Abdul Noor – Spokesperson, JEMA.
Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze and members neutral to the subject were not spared in the crossfire. For JEMA insist they should take a stand and stop hiding in the crowd. Kyamuddu said they will not play insane in this political contest as the word JEMA continued to be blackmailed. “All the members that sat in yesterday’s press are Asuman Basalirwa’s friends who took a decision not to support him because he is not worth their support. Dr. Besigye, Hon. Munyagwa Mubarak, Hon. Nambooze de-campaigned Basalirwa directly in Bugiri and others like Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Hon. Sewanyana, and Hon. Kasibante chose to take a neutral stand. Neutrality in an election is a sign of hypocrisy I want to state it clearly.”
However, according to DP’s Medard Ssegona JEMA shouldn’t close off negotiations yet. For it’s never too late to agree and the negotiations between the two parties will continue until the final candidate is selected. "I feel we have a duty and we owe to Ugandans to sit down together as brothers and sisters to say let's go with one candidate. Let no one deceive you, all our candidates are good." Said, Medard Ssegona – MP, Busiro East (DP). For a long time, opposition political leaders have put aside their political affiliations and preached togetherness. However, JEMA has come out to say this statement has been used for convenience to hood wick the public and steal their support.
