KAMPALA - Democratic Party (DP) vice-president (Buganda region) George Fred Kagimu has warned against voting leaders out of excitement without considering their manifestos, which offer systematic approach to tackling their community needs.
Appearing with various councillors and local leaders from Mukono district, Kagimu, who gave a brief history of DP since its formation in 1954, instilled hope among the voters, calling for a positive mindset to people-led-change strategies in local communities.
Kagimu, who was addressing journalists at DP’s Balintuma Road offices in Rubaga division, Kampala city, shortly after expressing his interest in contesting as the Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament (MP) in Mukono district, said such careless tendencies have cost them development.
“Much as the central government has a big hand in allocating how public resources are distributed every financial year, electing community leaders with manifestos that address your problems is important,” Kagimu said.
Referring to the 2021 general election wave in Buganda where the majority National Unity Platform (NUP) party leaders were elected to various positions, most leaders have failed to deliver community services to the electorate.
“In 2021, Mukono district voted out of excitement and cast their votes simply because their incumbents had switched from the DP to NUP tickets, but there is nothing to show for such a decision. We still remained the way we were, and that’s why I am coming back strongly to reclaim our DP victory in the area,” Kagimu said.
Kagimu, also the former Mukono municipality mayor who served for five years, pledged to serve Mukono to improve on rehabilitation of the road network, especially the feeder road, advocating for the health sector and solving land conflicts in the area.
“I have come to express my interest once again considering my clean track-record of service to the people of Mukono,” he added.
Nsubuga nominated for Mukono North
DP legal advisor Kenneth Nsubuga expressed interest in contesting as the Mukono North MP, citing the need to establish a youth skilling centre to boost employability skill capacity, establish women centres and fight for land rights among the youth.
“As a legal advisor, I have come here to help not only my party, which I have been serving for many years in various capacities, but also offer my legal services to land matters in the area,” Nsubuga said, adding, "In Mukono, we still have a challenge of leaders who divide the population based on religious lines, tribal sentiments and political affiliations but good service comes when all people are united."
DP electoral committee chairperson Kennedy Mutenyo handing over the nomination forms to Fiona Nantongo contesting for Bulijjo parish at Balintuma on Thursday. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)