The Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday, successfully nominated three candidates to tussle it out for the Kampala Lord Mayoral role in the upcoming 2021 polls.
Incumbent Erias Lukwago is back, but this time on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party ticket, having recently crossed to the Najjanankumbi based party. This was he fell out with the Democratic Party, and this saw him serve his current term as an independent.
Lukwago is just one of three formidable persons that were successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission yesterday. Others include the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer Honourable Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala and popular musician Joseph Mayanja, commonly known as Dr. Jose Chameleone, who was nominated as an Independent candidate.
As one would expect, the nomination day was characterized by teargas, chaos, and running battles between the police and the supporters of the three candidates. This disrupted business in areas of Ntinda, Wandegeya, and other suburbs of the capital.
Fresh from nomination, Lukwago asked the EC to come out and inform candidates on how they were to hold their campaigns especially during this time of the COVID 19 pandemic. He went further and condemned the police for their uncalled-for brutality towards his supporters. Lukwago, who will be hoping to spend more time at City Hall than courts of law should he win the election, assured Kampala residents that his third term will focus more on equality for all and co-operation with the Kampala Capital City Authority for development projects.
NUP flag bearer, Hon. Nabilah Nagayi, who recently crossed from the FDC, spoke of how her experience in serving Kampala that saw her represent the City in the 10th Parliament as a woman MP has enabled her to know all the challenges Kampala is facing. She went on to pledge to be the focal point for all stakeholders to solve these challenges and achieve maximum development.
Having lost the NUP flag to Hon. Latif Ssebagala, who later withdrew from the race, Joseph Mayanja decided to contest as an independent candidate, saying he did not want to let down the people who requested him to contest. Mr. Mayanja, who surely left supporters confused as to why he did not go back to Kamwokya to challenge Nabilah Nagayi when Ssebagala throwing in towel, assured Ugandans that he is still a member of the NUP. The flamboyant musician assured youths that he is there to create employment opportunities for them.
The deadline for nominations of mayoral candidates ends today with Daniel Kazibwe, alias Ragga Dee expected to be nominated on the National Resistance ticket today.
