By Isaac Tugume
As Uganda prepares for the 2021 elections, several youth are coming up to express their interests in running for political office, promising voters heaven on earth.
Spy Uganda conducted an interview with Martin Rushegyera, a budding politician in Bushenyi district, who has expressed his intention to contest for the Bushenyi Municipality Mayoral seat come 2021. We asked Rushegyera a few questions about his political bid and here is what he said;
Qn: Can you briefly tell us about yourself?
Ans: I’m Martin Rushegyera, born in 1980 in Rwenjeru parish, Nyakabirizi Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality, to Eliezari Rushegyera and Kyorayende Jane. I attended Bweranyangi Boarding Primary School, joined Pioneer high school for O-level, Ruyonza School and St John’s Secondary School for A-level. After graduating from St. Augustine University of Tanzania with a diploma in Information and Communication Technology I moved to Dar-es-Salaam and began my career with Mantz movie production as a director. I currently work with Wave Money Transfer company as a country manager. I am married, although my wife staysabroad and we have two children
Qn: Your voters would like to know about your political ambitions, what are they?
Ans: They are so many but let me be brief
a- To create unity among the population.
b- To make sure that every body has income generating projects
c-Education and Health should be given first priority
d-put more emphasis in Agricultural and infrastructure etc
Qn: What is entailed in your manifesto?
Ans: Automatically since I’m a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), I have to follow the NRM manifesto.
Qn: What solutions do you bring for your voters if they vote you?
Ans: Indicated above in the NRM manifesto and my political ambitions.
Qn: What have you done for your community and what do you hope to do for them if elected?
Ans: Throughout my 20+ years in Bushenyi I have served in many capacities. I started my career as a Director in Martin Promoters Company in my efforts to develop the Entertainment Industry in Bushenyi district. Besides that I have volunteered in various leadership roles in civic organizations and have been instrumental in organizing community events.
I started an orphans’ foundation last year called Rush, where we help orphans and less privileged children by providing them with education services, shelter, food, clothing,medical care services, among other social amenities they need. My hope is to work alongside the people of Bushenyi Ishaka to keep our municipality safe, while maintaining the public’s trust. I have proven myself to be trustworthy, ethical, and community minded, and I know if we all work together, we truly can make a difference.
Qn: What are some of the challenges you’re likely to face in your political ambitions?
Ans: They are many but the key ones include; a- Laziness among the population; some people especially youth don’t want to work.
B- Lack of initial capital to start up projects. C- Corruption among the civil servants with in the society
Qn: Why come out now, not in 2016 or in 2026?
Ans: I have discovered that our people are misrepresented and lack proper leaders to guide them
Qn: How are you going to uplift the livelihood of the youth?Do you have any projects for them?
Ans: I will work with NRM leadership and lobby for more projects and services for my people
Qn: What strategies do you have that will enable your constituency share on the National Cake
Ans: You see, some of our leaders do not work with the NRM, then eventually the people miss sharing national cake. But for me I am a NRM member and supported by the leadership of NRM, so it will be easy for me to lobby for my people.Qn: What projections do you have for your Constituency in the next five years; do you want only one Kisanja? Or more?Ans: That one will depend on my achievements and my political ambitious if they are achieved with in the period
