By Samuel Muwanguzi & Michael D. Kaluya, In Denton, Texas, USA
An opinion poll on the forthcoming elections for the president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA) due in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois this weekend, has put the California-based entrepreneur Moses Wilson, ahead of his two rivals; fellow Californian resident and incumbent Lt. Frank Musisi, and the Atlanta-based businessman Felix Kabuye. The Internet-based opinion survey that was designed and conducted by the Center for Leadership and Global Business based in Dallas Texas (CLGB) from August 30th through September 1st, 2009, indicated that 32% of likely convention attendees and voters would vote for Mr. Moses Wilson. The lead put him 3 points ahead of the incumbent Lt. Frank Musisi whose support from likely voters stood at 29% while 18% indicated that they would vote for Mr. Flex Kabuye. The margin of error in the opinion poll stood at 0.215%.
The Dallas-based CLGB is a non-profit organization and does not have any affiliation with UNAA and any of its local chapters. A total of 100 participants were randomly selected from various US states and cities, Uganda, and Europe to complete the survey that was anonymously sent to them through an internet survey portal; http://www.questionpro.com. 54% of the participants reported that they would attend the convention, register, and vote during the elections for the UNAA president. 64% of the participants indicated that they had knowledge about UNAA and possessed a clear understanding of its functions, 71% indicated that they had attended UNAA conventions over the years, and 61% reported that they were familiar with UNAA elections procedures.
However, 21% of the respondents reported that they were still undecided on the candidate they would elect as the UNAA president out of the three; incumbent Lt. Frank Musisi, Mr. Moses M. Wilson, and Mr. Flex Kabuye of Atlanta, Georgia. Interestingly, a computation of responses from participants to the question “who of the three candidates is likely to win the presidency,” indicated a tie between incumbent Lt. Frank Musisi and Mr. Moses Wilson at 26%. Responses to the same question showed Mr. Flex Kabuye scoring 15%. The large number of the undecided likely voters standing at 21% should be a cause for concern to the three candidates because it could easily turn the election in favor of any of the three candidates. Similarly, a likely coalition between any of the two candidates could upset predictions by political pundits.
According to the opinion poll, 44% of the participants reported that their preferred candidate had the clearest vision to guide UNAA to greater heights. 26% of the respondents reported that they would vote for a candidate who would offer practical solutions to the major problems encountered by most Ugandans in the Diaspora that include; immigration, education, dual citizenship, and health care. However, while 11% of the participants indicated that they were not sure of what the winning candidate should focus on, 19% reported that a new UNAA leadership would not change anything in the lives of Ugandans both in the Diaspora and in Uganda.
The majority of participants; 49% reported that they would not vote for a candidate who they viewed or feared engaged in divisive politics, 8% reported they would not vote for a candidate who they thought was tribalistic, while 4% indicated that they would not vote for a candidate who they perceived would be influenced by the NRM government. While in previous elections, the NRM factor was widely perceived as a major influence on the outcomes, this opinion poll did not find it as pervasive. A note by the CLGB officials cautions that the findings of the survey should by no means be construed as the true outcome or an influence on the results of the elections or as an endorsement of a particular candidate. The statement says that the opinion poll is simply a reflection of the preferences and opinions of a small sample of the total number of likely voters on the candidates and the entire exercise. The survey findings can be viewed at: http://www.questionpro.com/akira/listSummaryReport.do?enableStatisticalDetails=true
The 21st annual UNAA convention, which officially opened at the Mile Marriott Hotel in downtown Chicago on Friday September 4 and ends Sunday September 6, has attracted a record attendance from Ugandans and their friends in the Diaspora especially from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Uganda. Even before the convention opened, the Mile Marriott Hotel had sold out and organizers encouraged those who registered late to make reservations in neighboring overflow hotels. Unlike previous elections, this weekend poll for a new UNAA president and executive following the rather uneventful administration of Lt. Frank Musisi, the seeya of the USA, has raised the stakes a notch higher. In addition, this year’s race for the UNAA presidency has not only been both protracted and dramatic but has also attracted some of the most successful Ugandan entrepreneurs in the United States. During the past one year, the three candidates have criss-crossed most of the 50 states in the USA canvassing for support among likely convention attendees.
To underline the importance of this year’s UNAA elections and to ensure the legitimacy of the results, the convention adopted a strategic theme;” Economic Empowerment and Democracy.” To that end, an electoral commission comprising distinguished Ugandans in the Diaspora including some of the association’s founding members such as Dr. Abu Ssenkaayi of Dallas and Uganda’s Consular in Dallas, Engineer David Mureeba has been constituted. The renowned Toronto-based Physician Dr. Muniini Mulera and other eminent Ugandans are also part of the commission charged with the task of conducting a free and fair UNAA election.
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