Top opposition politicians have reportedly been funded by foreigners to a tune of $10m (over Shs37bn) to facilitate them in the forthcoming general elections.
According to reliable sources, for the last 6months, 10million dollars were transported into Uganda at different intervals through various border points.
“The chunks of money entered Uganda through Kenya and Rwanda. It was being transported in heavy merchandise trucks disguised as produce,” the source said.
The source added that the money is to bankroll opposition politician Uganda to overthrow the NRM ruling government.
“The plan is to fund opposition flag bearers, mobilizers and agents in preparation of the January 14th general election. The money($10m) was transported in 4 phases,” the source said.
Impeccable sources told this website that the foreigners first sent in the country $1.2m and the second batch was $3m. Another $2.5m was later sent and the last batch was $3.3m.
The source of the money is reportedly from opposition politicians in foreign countries. The source of this money has been traced from countries like Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, USA and Ugandans in the Diaspora among others. It is said that South African based politician Julius Malema, the president of the Economic Freedom Fighters is among those bankrolling Ugandan opposition. It is alleged that Ugandan opposition received $30,000 from Malema while Bobi Wine’s good friend, Babu Owino of Orange Democratic Movement in Kenya also sent in some unspecified amounts of money.
However, the same source has informed us that whereas the opposition received up to $10m to facilitate their campaigns, the money has reportedly been swindled.
“The money was meant to fund flag bearers at all levels and help in mobilization and campaigns. But the money has been swindled. A few people who received the money have diverted it and bought properties and estates in the leafy suburbs of Kampala and other neighboring districts,” the source added.
Apparently, part of the money is to facilitate hooligans to disrupt the electoral process and cause mayhem to the general population by intimidating, beating and spreading harmful propaganda against the NRM government. This possibly explains the organized riots that took place last week when NUP presidential flag bearer Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was arrested for continously defying health guidelines on COVID-19. During last week’s riots, some people who have since been arrested were seen transporting and dropping tyres in different places in town to burn down the country.
Recently, Parliament amended the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Presidential Elections Act which bars candidates contesting for presidential and parliamentary positions to obtain funding from foreign countries or institutions.
Section 22 (4) of the Presidential Elections Act, 2005 states that, a candidate or candidate’s agent shall not obtain, solicit or receive any financial or other assistance from any foreign Government, institution, body or person which or who has demonstrated an intention to overthrow the lawfully established Government of Uganda, or to endanger the security of Uganda.
In the new law that was amended early this year, candidates are barred from obtaining, soliciting or receiving any financial or other assistance from an organisation which has been declared a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002.
If a candidate contravenes this section then he or she commits an offence and could face a 5year sentence in prison upon conviction.
