Kampala mayoral race splits IPC
Nov 17, 2010
DIVISION within the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) are widening following the failure of its leaders to agree on a single candidate for the Kampala mayoral race.
By Josephine Maseruka
DIVISION within the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) are widening following the failure of its leaders to agree on a single candidate for the Kampala mayoral race.
This was disclosed yesterday by Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, the chairman of the coalition’s electoral commission, when he announced that they had endorsed Mabikke as their flag-bearer.
Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago and Makindye East legislator Michael Mabikke, who are both members of the IPC, were nominated for the mayoral race.
Flanked by the FDC national chairperson, Salaam Musumba, and Henry Lubowa, the secretary general of the Social Democratic Party, Rubaramira told a press conference that the IPC would only support Lukwago if he contested for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat.
“By the foregoing and authority conferred upon me, I hereby affirm that Hon. Mabikke is the official IPC flag-bearer for the position of Kampala mayor and the development now sets ground for an orderly campaign in Kampala.â€
The announcement was contained in a statement read to journalists at the coalition’s offices on Katonga Road in Kampala.
However, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the IPC spokesperson, said they had not decided on a candidate.
“As far as I know, IPC has not endorsed any person because the seven-member committee of eminent persons headed by former Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere failed to agree on a candidate last Friday.â€
He explained that the committee was yet to convene to finalise the matter.
Ssemujju regretted that as the IPC spokesperson, he was not invited by Rubaramira’s team to attend the press conference.
“This shows that IPC is divided, which will greatly affect our votes and performance.â€
Asked by journalists about the criteria used to endorse Mabikke, Rubaramira said unlike Lukwago, Mabikke had gone through the primaries.
He also said under the IPC/ Ssuubi 2011 agreement, all authority to choose candidates for Buganda was vested in Ssuubi.
Lukwago, who is contesting on an independent ticket, described Rubaramira’s utterances as ‘idle talk’, adding that he would not leave the mayoral race.
“Whose decision does Rubaramira represent? When and where did they sit to come to such a conclusion?†Lukwago asked.
DIVISION within the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) are widening following the failure of its leaders to agree on a single candidate for the Kampala mayoral race.
This was disclosed yesterday by Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, the chairman of the coalition’s electoral commission, when he announced that they had endorsed Mabikke as their flag-bearer.
Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago and Makindye East legislator Michael Mabikke, who are both members of the IPC, were nominated for the mayoral race.
Flanked by the FDC national chairperson, Salaam Musumba, and Henry Lubowa, the secretary general of the Social Democratic Party, Rubaramira told a press conference that the IPC would only support Lukwago if he contested for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat.
“By the foregoing and authority conferred upon me, I hereby affirm that Hon. Mabikke is the official IPC flag-bearer for the position of Kampala mayor and the development now sets ground for an orderly campaign in Kampala.â€
The announcement was contained in a statement read to journalists at the coalition’s offices on Katonga Road in Kampala.
However, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the IPC spokesperson, said they had not decided on a candidate.
“As far as I know, IPC has not endorsed any person because the seven-member committee of eminent persons headed by former Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere failed to agree on a candidate last Friday.â€
He explained that the committee was yet to convene to finalise the matter.
Ssemujju regretted that as the IPC spokesperson, he was not invited by Rubaramira’s team to attend the press conference.
“This shows that IPC is divided, which will greatly affect our votes and performance.â€
Asked by journalists about the criteria used to endorse Mabikke, Rubaramira said unlike Lukwago, Mabikke had gone through the primaries.
He also said under the IPC/ Ssuubi 2011 agreement, all authority to choose candidates for Buganda was vested in Ssuubi.
Lukwago, who is contesting on an independent ticket, described Rubaramira’s utterances as ‘idle talk’, adding that he would not leave the mayoral race.
“Whose decision does Rubaramira represent? When and where did they sit to come to such a conclusion?†Lukwago asked.