Tempers flare in UNAA campaign
By Eva Nabawanuka Mukasa
WALTHAM, Mass.- JULY 29__ DRAMA ensured when two of the candidates aspiring for posts on the Uganda North America Association board in the organization’s forthcoming elections almost exchanged blows after accusing each other of being supporters of the regime in Kampala.

This was at a meeting organized by the visiting president of the People's Development Party (PPP), Dr.Abed Bwanika last week at the Best West hotel in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Kenyans on the other hand were also busy in another town in State, debating how to start a similar organization, modeled on UNAA principles of forging unity and unity among country folks in the Diaspora.

When Alex Bernard Wandukwa was given the microphone to ask Dr. Bwanika a question, he told the gathering that it was unfortunate that the people trying to get into leadership positions in UNAA were members and supporters of the regime in Kampala.

Alex Wandukwa, the fiery challenger for the UNAA Board Member, Eastern Region post

“These people who forced us to flee our motherland, Uganda are the same people fighting hard to get positions in UNAA. As someone aspiring for a post in UNAA, am not going to allow this to happen,” Wandukwa said.

He noted that these same people have failed to bring about development in the association ever since they were elected. In defense, Ronnie Mayanja, who publishes the Ugandan news website and happened to be in the same meeting, stood up and denied being a member of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement party.

“How can we engage in such kind of untruthful conversation? We should debate issues not personalities,” Mayanja said as perplexed Ugandans looked on.

The exchange between the two candidates went a notch higher when Wandukwa asked those present not to listen to Mayanja but to focus on people that will take the association ahead.

Speaking in the local language, Luganda, Wandukwa called on people to vote for him. He told those who will vote to take the money given to them as bribes but reminded them to use their discretion and vote for people that will take the association ahead. “Take the money when they give it to you but vote wisely,” he advised.

Ronnie Mayanja, the incumbent UNAA Board Member representing the Eastern region, during the near brawl at at the Best Western Hotel in Waltham

The fiery distraction was cooled down when Dr. Bwanika asked the warring candidates to calm down and allow people to listen to his ideas.

Earlier on, Wandukwa narrated to AjabuAfrica.com the various ills affecting development in the widely known UNAA.

He said that the association collects over half a million dollars every year at the annual convention but all that money is squandered through mismanagement and corruption.

“How can we tell leaders in Africa to stop being corrupt when our own leaders in a “small” association like UNAA are themselves corrupt?” he asked

The candidate said that given a chance, he will bring financial accountability that is currently lucking in UNAA.

”I will streamline the awarding of contracts for the services provided at the convention to follow strict standards. Different companies or individuals should place bids, and an independent committee should award the contract to the most competitive bidder who can prove quality,” he added sternly.

Charles Wassanja, gunning for the UNAA board member at large post

Charles Wassanja, another aspiring candidate for the post of Board member at large said that it is a shame that UNAA has been in existence for over 20 years but has nothing to show for it.

“In fact, UNAA just rented its first office, a couple of years ago after a whole 20 years of collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars. “We should have scholarships and burial funds, and donate to our orphans back in Uganda etc,” he added.