Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu's son enters Butambala race

By Eddie Ssejjoba

Former Greenland Bank managing director, Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu's son is one of the latest entries in the Butambala by-election slated for next month.

Sharif SsentongoNambaale, aged 32 on Monday declared that he would contest for the Butambala seat on an Independent ticket, though his father was an ardent FDC supporter.

He is a teacher by profession.

Ssentongo brings the number of interested candidates for the seat to six. Others are NRM flag-bearer and former area MP, Faisal Kikulukunyu, DP's Muhammad MuwangaKivumbi and FaridahNakiboneka (Independent).

Others are Uganda Federal Alliance's Ibrahim BatemyettoTomusange who is a first year university student and FDC's Moses Kisuule.

Ssentongo based his reasons to join the race on divisions and political wrangles in the constituency.

He said such disputes emanated from the fact that many residents had not fully grasped the multiparty ideology, which he said had affected development in the area.

He said Butambala was still lagging behind in development because people were involved in political wrangles, which he wants to do away with and unite them for a common goal.

"I have come on an Independent ticket because I want to unite all people of different political ideologies including candidates from these parties. We need development not political affiliations," he explained.

He said he would also exploit his late father's legacy in Butambala, saying everyone knew Dr. Kiggundu's contribution, which he wants to push ahead.

"I'm already on the ground, but we as Dr. Kiggundu's family already have a good record in the constituency, as everyone knows what our father did for them," he said.

Nominations are expected on August 28 and 29 and election on September 12.

The NRM camp has also moved a step ahead by burying their hatchet to win the by-election after losing in many areas.

The President, YoweriMuseveni who is the party chairman last week met the party different camps at State House Entebbe where the flag bearer Kikulukunyu apologized to members and asked them to join him for the vital election.