As voters in Kawempe North brace up for next Thursday’s by-election to replace fallen Muhammad Ssegirinnya, the two giants in the battle, Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of NUP and Faridah Nambi of NRM have begun the vote hunting phase in a high tempo with each swearing to give the other a red nose.
The others in the race who have been reduced to almost an insignificant level owing to the muscle of the two, include Henry Kasacca Mubiru (DP), Ismail Musiitwa (PPP), Sadat Mukiibi (FDC), Muhamood Mutazindwa, Moses Nsereko, Muhammad Lusswa Luwemba, Hanifa Karadi Murerwa and Stanley Edward Maitum Engena, son to fallen President Dr. Milton Obote who are on independent merits.
In an earlier meeting with EC officials and security representatives, some of the candidates expressed concern over the manner in which security operatives witch hunt them, but agreed on the campaign format to be followed.
On day one, Nalukoola started his campaign trail in Mpereerwe ward on Saturday, while on Sunday he was in Komamboga.
He began his trail from Mbogo mosque where Duwa prayers were organized for him and he was accompanied by NUP officials led by Buganda party head Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi.
Others in the team included MPs Gorretti Namugga (Mawogola South), Muwada Nkunyingi (Kyaddondo East), Abubaker Kawalya (Lubaga North), Mukono Municipality’s Betty Nambooze Bakireke, Mityana Municipality’s Francis Zaake and other leaders. Basically he campaigned along the premise that being a lawyer, he is conversant with proceedings in parliament, and that as such, he will not be a foreigner.
On Monday, National Unity Platform leadership and supporters clashed with security operatives, who beat and arrested some individuals while firing tear gas as they headed to Kawempe Muslim P/S playground to campaign for the party’s flagbearer, Elias Nalukoola, in the upcoming Kawempe North MP by-election.
Faridah Nambi started her campaign at Kikaaya while on Sunday he was in Kyebando. She promised to cover gaps in the education system, to make roads, and to rid Kawempe people of bed bugs which she said have been giving them a hard time. At Katanga she promised to ensure that their health unit is upgraded.
At Kampala Quality School, Nambi promised to restore street lights and assist in popularising vocational skills training. She was travelling with a heavy motorcade of motorcycles and cars. Below is the campaign programme for the two strongest candidates:
Faridah Nambi: Kanyana (March 3), Komamboga) March 4), Mpererwe (March 5), kawempe II (March 6), Kazo Angola (March 7), Bwaise I (March 8).
Luyimbazi Nalukoola: Kazo Angola (March 3), Kawempe I (March 4), Kyebando (March 5), Kawempe II (March 7), Kawempe I (Kawempe I).
On the acts of torture of certain candidates and their supporters, UPDF spokesperson Ag. Maj. Gen Felix Kulaigye denied army involvement, saying that police are responsible for that role, and that as such, they are best placed to explain why the JAT behaved the way they did.
He condemned in the strongest terms the torture meted out on TOP TV journalist, and added that investigations are ongoing to identify and duly reprimand whoever did that. He said this at a prayer service organised by journalists to beseech the Lord to give them protection against indiscipline armed people during the campaigns.
