KAWEMPE NORTH: NUP Endorses, Lawyer Nalukoola, FDC Picks Aganaga

By AWORI ESTHER LUCY

KAMPALA, Uganda [SHIFTMEDIA]  The battle lines for the Kawempe North Parliamentary bye-elections have been drawn. The National Unity Platform (NUP) endorsed human rights lawyer Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as its flag bearer for the Kawempe North by-election.

He was declared the flag bearer on Tuesday by the Election Management Committee at the NUP party headquarters in Kavule, Makerere.

Luyimbazi faced off nine others in a heated, but rather dramatic debate at the party headquarters. The debate, moderated by lawyer Andrew Karamaji and Dr Judith Nalukwago, provided a platform for aspirants to articulate their visions for the constituency.

These include Muhammad Luwemba Lusswa, a former aide to the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, Umar Magara, Saulo Kulya Zziwa, Salim Serunkuuma, also known as Mafu Mafu, Fredrick Kakyika, Dr Charles Rubagumya, Eng Kenneth Ssenkungu, Mathias Mulumba, and Moses Nsereko. The Kawempe North parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of the former representative, Muhammad Ssegirinya, on January 9.

There was mixed reactions coupled with high emotions, sweating aspirants, and collapse of some who hoped to be declared the flag bearers. NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine urged all losers to rally behind Nalukoola warning of severe punishments to those who would ago against the party rules to contest as independents.

Already reports are coming in that Muhammad Lusswa, a former aide to the late Kawempe North legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya has left the National Unity Platform and is coming in to contest as an independent.

Who is Nalukoola?

Nalukoola, who was the legal advisor for the Democratic Party (DP) since 2020, resigned from his position following the controversial cooperation agreement between the DP and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). He said that the cooperation was executed without the consent or knowledge of the party’s governing organs, raising significant ethical and procedural concerns.

FDC Endorses Artist Aganaga

The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) last week endorsed music artist, Sadat Mukiibi, alias Khalifa Aganaga, as their candidate for the Kawempe North constituency by-election.

FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo said that since the constituency fell vacant, party leaders have been searching for a suitable candidate.

FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat unveiled Mukiibi at the the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi and asked all members to rally behind him.