Basakana wants to stand against Government Chief Whip Migereko. Right is his weapon permit

By Jackie Nambogga

THE Jinja district LC5 chairperson, Hannington Basakana, has handed over his firearm to the Internal Security Organisation as he starts campaigns.

Basakana, a retired army officer no.RO 2872 said he had resolved to hand over his SMG no.56-128126338, so as to campaign peacefully.

“As we move into the hectic political period leading to the 2011 general elections, I have found it important to surrender my firearm as per the attached copy of the weapon permit,” Basakana’s letter of September 1 to the ISO chief reads.

Basakana, who is vying for the Butembe parliamentary seat, said he acquired the gun in 2003 when he was deployed as the district internal security officer for Makindye Division.

Basakana commended ISO for ensuring his security as chairperson, by keeping him armed and protected.

“I have found it necessary to disarm myself in order to avoid negative accusations that could be used by my opponents during campaigns. Politics is a dirty game, so I returned the firearm to the custody of ISO, the authority which had armed me,” Basakana said.

He will contest as an independent against Government’s Chief Whip Daudi Migereko who was unopposed in the NRM party primaries.

Basakana explained that he chose to stand as an independent because he doubted the NRM primaries would be free and fair.

He said there were massive election malpractices in 2006, where he claimed he was cheated in favour of his opponent, Frederick Gume.

He ran as an independent and won with a high margin against the flag bearer. “Yes I belong to the ruling party and no one should doubt this, but there is a lot of bureaucracy in NRM.

I was shot in the leg while fighting for the freedom of this country during the NRA bush war,” Basakana said.

Meanwhile, the Jinja deputy resident district commissioner, Apollo Bwebale, who is also the district security committee chairperson, commended Basakana for handing over his weapon.