Parliamentary elections watch

James Kizza Kiggundu is Dr. Timothy Mutesasira challenger for Busiro East MP. Kiggundu(34), a personnel officer in Southern Range Nyanza Ltd said, "Let the incumbent know that he will not have it easy come the elections because I'm ready and determined to unseat him," said Kiggundu. He says the constituency is still lagging in development and he is determined to change this. * * * Ben Kalumba Ssebuliba, the Kampala District youth chairman, has declared his candidature to represent Nakawa Division. Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, MP for Nakawa division declared that he will not stand for re-election. Ssebuliba said his manifesto is built up on 5T pillars, which symbolise Target, Teamwork, Time, Transparency and Tranquillity. * * * Esther Kirumira a retired banker who is also the Njeru town council cecretary for health, Robinah Nalongo Kisitu a nurse and Njeru town Councillor and Ruth Nankabirwa a Mukono district councillor want to unseat Lydia Balemezi, Mukono woman MP. Balemezi's opponents have accused her of failure to deliver at the grassroots level. * * * Samuel Hashaka, a journalist working with Radio Uganda has vowed to unseat Meddi Kaggwa, MP Kawempe south. "Meddi Kaggwa failed to deliver anything to his people that's why I decided to stand and do what he has not don.'' Hashaka who is also the Local Council chairman of Kifumbira village Mulago (II) parish said that he decided to stand after realising that most people in Kawempe South live in absolute poverty, yet the place is not so far away from Kampala town. Hashaka has worked with Radio Uganda for 10 years. * * * Moses Batwala, a businessman has declared his intentions to contest for for Kagoma constituency in Jinja District. Butwala said the incumbent MP Twaire Idwege is not a threat to him . He contends that his only rival is Mr. Nabwiso. Batwala criticised Idwege for alleged failure to develop the constituency in terms of health services and for the low standards of education. Butwala also cited unemployment of youth as a source of poverty. * * * Dr Jack Nyeko Penmogi, Kilak Mp, is in for a tough race. He is facing challenge from Col Julius Oketa, the reserve force commander northern region. Col Oketa who is also a farmer with huge chunks of land in Pabbo has promised the people that he will work with the government to develop Kilak county. "My prayer is to go through and give a new face to the people of Kilak, who have been left behind because of war," he said. * * * Moses Thenge, a human resources manager for Kakira Sugar Company has vowed to unseat Anthony Kanyike MP for Buikwe west. Thenge is former manager personnel of Civil Aviation Authority(CAA). Another contestant who has shown interest in the same seat is Councillor Eron Nantume, an employee of Uganda Electricity Board. * * * Perez Nkuba Muhame has expressed interest in the Sheema North seat. Since the incumbent 'Sir' Richard Kaijuka quit in October 2000 for a job in the US, Sheema North constituency in Bushenyi District has been 'unofficially' vacant. "Now that there is no incumbent, my people are calling on me to represent them," Muhame said. * * * Betty Akech Okullo, the Minister of State for Higher Education, has got a rival. Betty Aol Ocan is planning to unseat Akech from representing Gulu women in Parliament. Ocan is secretary for health and children's affairs in the Gulu LC5. "The women leadership in Gulu has been weak, hence we have been left behind. If I'm elected I will make sure I work with government to highlight women issues in Gulu," Ocan said. Ends