African press review 7 November 2015

London to expell 29,000 Nigerians from the UK and Uganda's Yuweri Museveni launches bid for new term after 35 years in power.  

We start in Nigeria where Punch carries breaking news from London that Britain is working on the planned deportation of 29,000 Nigerians who allegedly do not have a right to remain in the country.

According to the newspaper, the process is expected to commence soon. It reports that Nigeria’s acting High Commissioner in London, informed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during his visit to London in October, that 29,000 illegal immigrants are already carrying deportation tags.

Punch says the UK High Commission in Nigeria told its correspondent in Abuja that the removal of persons will be carried out in conjunction with relevant Nigerian authorities.

To Uganda now where President Museveni on Friday unveiled his 2016-2021 manifesto as he prepares to embark on a campaign trail next week seeking a fifth elective term in office that would take his reign to 35 years in power.

Daily Monitor reports that the plan of action is anchored on the theme of his agenda: “Taking Uganda to modernity through jobs creation and inclusive development.” But the paper also points out that it is also a juxtaposition of what he has promised and achieved or failed during his uninterrupted 30-year reign and what he promised Ugandans in his 2011-16 election manifestos.

New Vision reports that the event was held three days after the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement was nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest for the 2016 presidential elections.The paper says he will have to beat seven other candidates in the same race to remain in power, something experts consider as foregone conclusion.

Red Pepper has been covering the campaign of Kizza Besigye the veteran opposition candidate who believes his hour has come after two failed bids against Museveni.

The paper publishes a large spread of a Besigye campaign rally in Kampala attended by thousands of supporters. Red Pepper says the Forum for Democratic Change leader expressed shock and confessed that he didn’t know where the large crowds following him came from.

According to the newspaper, the huge crowds seemingly surpassed the numbers that President Museveni and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi attracted on Tuesday after their nominations. Red Pepper quotes Besigye as telling his supporters in a television interview that he will not betray the Ugandans who are yearning for change.