Obondo faces FDC’s Samanya in Namayingo
Oct 15, 2010
WILBER Waiswa Obondo beat Charles Wanyama to become the NRM party flag bearer for the Namayingo LC5 seat.
By Vision Reporter
WILBER Waiswa Obondo beat Charles Wanyama to become the NRM party flag bearer for the Namayingo LC5 seat.
He, however, has a more difficult hurdle to jump. His opponent, Karim Awuku Samanya, will not be an easy man to beat. Samanya went through unopposed as the FDC flag bearer and all other parties in the Inter-party Coalition (IPC) do not have a major presence in the district, implying that he will be the IPC candidate.
Samanya, a sales manager for Uganda breweries based in Mbale, has been organising football tournaments, besides attending several burial ceremonies within the district. Most of his supporters say he is approachable.
While driving, he gives a lift to whoever he finds on the road. Most of his supporters have nick-named him Obama. He has also taken a tough stand against corrupt leaders in the district since it was created.
The incumbent, Obondo, is aware of these but he knows all the corners and has built a support base. Having been at the forefront of lobbying the Government to grant Namayingo a district status, many think they should reward him by electing him as their leader.
While still a councilor for Buswale sub-county in the former Bugiri district, Obondo stormed out of several council sessions whenever he disagreed with his colleagues over distribution of resources. He always lobbied for equal distribution of resources, claiming his people were marginalised in terms of development projects.
Many of his supporters say he is open-minded and speaks out his mind as long as he feels it is the right thing. He is also credited for embracing all people regardless of their religion, economic and social status. He increased his local appeal by arguing that jobs in Namayingo should be given to graduates who originate from the district as opposed to those brought in from other districts.
During a recent council session, he received an applause when the district council resolved to sack employees posted to Namayingo from other districts. Obondo’s supporters see this as a way of creating more job opportunities for their children.
WILBER Waiswa Obondo beat Charles Wanyama to become the NRM party flag bearer for the Namayingo LC5 seat.
He, however, has a more difficult hurdle to jump. His opponent, Karim Awuku Samanya, will not be an easy man to beat. Samanya went through unopposed as the FDC flag bearer and all other parties in the Inter-party Coalition (IPC) do not have a major presence in the district, implying that he will be the IPC candidate.
Samanya, a sales manager for Uganda breweries based in Mbale, has been organising football tournaments, besides attending several burial ceremonies within the district. Most of his supporters say he is approachable.
While driving, he gives a lift to whoever he finds on the road. Most of his supporters have nick-named him Obama. He has also taken a tough stand against corrupt leaders in the district since it was created.
The incumbent, Obondo, is aware of these but he knows all the corners and has built a support base. Having been at the forefront of lobbying the Government to grant Namayingo a district status, many think they should reward him by electing him as their leader.
While still a councilor for Buswale sub-county in the former Bugiri district, Obondo stormed out of several council sessions whenever he disagreed with his colleagues over distribution of resources. He always lobbied for equal distribution of resources, claiming his people were marginalised in terms of development projects.
Many of his supporters say he is open-minded and speaks out his mind as long as he feels it is the right thing. He is also credited for embracing all people regardless of their religion, economic and social status. He increased his local appeal by arguing that jobs in Namayingo should be given to graduates who originate from the district as opposed to those brought in from other districts.
During a recent council session, he received an applause when the district council resolved to sack employees posted to Namayingo from other districts. Obondo’s supporters see this as a way of creating more job opportunities for their children.