By Gladys Mukisa
Battle of words has ensued between the FDC presidential flag bearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi and NUP presidential hopeful Bobi Wine supporters, arising from the candidate’s performance during the Sunday 30th presidential debate by the Nation Media Group (NMG) which manages the Nation Television (NTV) Uganda.
Eight presidential candidates as they contest for the country’s top office in on an going presidential campaign had been invited, but five attended, while three candidates did not make a show.
The attendees included Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC), Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu (ANT), Bobi Wine (NUP), Joseph Elton Mabirizi and Frank Kabinga Bulira (RPP).
The absentee candidates were incumbent president Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museven(NRM), Mubark Munyagwa(CMP) and Robert Kasibante (NPP). The NTV televised debate was moderated by Regina Nalwoga and Anord Ssegawa.
In what seemed to be a counter approach against the NMG’s planned debate, Gen. Museveni held an engagement with his NRM party youth at his Rwakitula country home in Kiruhura district, under what is named the “NRM Youth Un Stoppable and addressed them on a range of issues in a question and answer prerecorded session that aired on the state TV UBC and other TV stations.
The presidential candidate supporters verbal war started on socials; Facebook, X and Tiktok as soon as the televised debate had been concluded with supporters for each camp claiming to have triumphed over the other.
Mafabi who is a seasoned economist and a lawyer, received a lot of cheers and praises on how he addressed questions around fixing the national economy by putting money into the citizenry pocket in line with his campaign slogan. His fan base declared him the best performer and fittest for the presidency as the pro Bobi Wine’s and Muntu’s strongly contested this stance.
Well known for his track record and integrity during his past time as the UPDF commander, Gen Muntu received adorations for having been well composed and articulate regarding issues relating to national security, infrastructure and tourism.
Bobi Wine a singer turned politician and now a lawyer, gained more salutations for having highlighted the cause leading to the current national governance problem which is visibly binding every sector in the country, the common man’s plight and tourism.
Frank Kabinga Bulira caught many by surprise given his knowledge and reasoning regarding several matters of national and international importance.
Elton Joseph Mabirizi a pastor who had participated in the 2016 presidential debate which none of those participants did not have a privilege of attending, has significantly improved in terms of quality, compared to how he had fared previously according to the online audience.
Some supporters argued that should Bobi Wine declared the next Uganda’s president, he should work with Muntu and his vice and Mafabi as prime and finance minister.
The organizers announced to hold the second debate and the last in January before the January 15th elections.
