Businessman and former Soroti Municipality Member of Parliament Mike Mukula has recounted how President Yoweri Museveni abandoned his vehicle and jumped onto a boda boda to reach a nomination venue at Kololo in time during the 2000 presidential election process.
Mukula, a former military officer who has been involved in Uganda’s politics for decades, shared the account in a social media post describing an unusual moment in Museveni’s long political career.
According to Mukula, Museveni was running out of time to reach the nomination venue when Moses Byaruhanga arranged a motorcycle to help him beat the deadline.
The account describes a last-minute dash that saw Museveni travel on a Yamaha motorcycle as he made his way to the venue, where he was expected to present himself to the Electoral Commission for nomination as a presidential candidate.
Mukula said the incident attracted enthusiastic crowds, with supporters waving Ugandan flags and cheering as Museveni rode through the area.
The motorcycle ride reportedly enabled Museveni to arrive at the nomination venue with only 15 minutes remaining before the deadline.
He subsequently presented himself to the then Electoral Commission chairman, Besweri Akabwai, for nomination, according to Mukula’s recollection.The account offers a glimpse into the logistical challenges that can accompany presidential nomination processes, particularly when candidates face strict deadlines and must navigate traffic and crowds to reach designated venues.
Boda bodas, which are widely used across Uganda for passenger transport, have become an important part of daily mobility, particularly in urban areas where traffic congestion can delay motorists.
Museveni’s reported decision to use a motorcycle in the final moments before the deadline illustrates how an alternative means of transport can become crucial when time is running out.Mukula accompanied his account with a photograph showing Museveni seated on a Yamaha motorcycle amid a gathering of supporters.
The image provides a visual record associated with the story he shared, although the details of the incident are based on his recollection.The post also tagged Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, drawing attention to the historical account of his father’s political journey.
Museveni has remained a central figure in Uganda’s political landscape since taking power in 1986. The 2000 presidential election process was among the electoral contests that shaped his continued leadership of the country.
Mukula’s account adds another anecdote to the history of Museveni’s presidential campaigns, recalling a moment when the incumbent leader reportedly relied on a boda boda to overcome a time-sensitive moment.
