The leader of Opposition in parliament Philip Wafula Oguttu says efforts are underway by the opposition to approach the former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi with a view of establishing his perceived intentions of contesting for the presidency

Oguttu says that the opposition considers Mbabazi as a strong leader who can contribute greatly to the agenda of ousting President Yoweri Museveni from power despite his past misgivings.

Oguttu says that there is general agreement that Mbabazi is approached but adds that it would be better for him to remain within the NRM party and organize a force that will eventually take on president Museveni in the delegate’s conference and to cooperate with the opposition later on should he decide to contest outside the NRM

While Amama has not yet stated if indeed he wants to contest for the presidency in 2016, Oguttu says that the political climate and the level of organization that his wife and other supporters within the NRM are engaged in clearly show that he is considering to contest

Oguttu predicts that if Mbabazi contests NRM will be weaker and that other factions will emerge at the delegates’ conference. Oguttu is however weary of the purge that is likely to begin if Mbabazi decides to contest saying his supporters in NRM among which are Ministers and Mps mainly from the North and Eastern Uganda will be politically fought. He advises that this group should come out quickly to pre-empt such plans

The Excutive director of Research World International Dr Patrick Wakida says that Mbabazi can command 30% of the presidential vote and that if he teams up with the opposition they can collect 60% to beat YKMuseveni in 2016.