Who are the Kyadondo East king ma​kers?

ROBERT KYAGULANYI SSENTAMU alias BOBI WINE 

Makindye Municipality Mayor, Ali Kasirye Nganda also known as Mulyanyama: We want to walk with the people that have been with us in the struggle, years ago, we had a by-election in Lugazi, I myself took Kyagulanyi to Lugazi and he helped us to mobilize votes for our candidate, and the same thing happened in Luweero during Brenda Nabukenya's by-election. Lucky enough my party candidate is not in the race but it would really hurt me not to give Bobi Wine my support. 

Musician Mathias Walukagga: Walukagga has always been close to opposition leaders and some of his songs are liked by opposition politicians. In an interview with New Vision, Walukagga said that he is backing Bobi Wine because his songs have always inspired and influenced good opinions among leaders. "I've been out of the country, but now I'm back and I'm going to campaign for him very soon" he said. 

Musician Ronald Mayinja: "I support him first because, he is a fellow musician, he comes from Gomba where I also come from, and most of all is because he is an agent of generational change" he told New Vision. Mayinja calls the current politics, a battle between the rich and the poor and only people with a poor background can represent the views of the poor and that is why Ugandans need to have leaders like Bobi Wine. The Bobi Wine camp has got David Lutalo, Manisoor Ssemanda alias King Saha, Hillary Kiyaga alias Hilderman, Edris Musuuza alias Eddy Kenzo, Bobi Wine's brothers Nubian Lee and Banjoman, activist Frank Gashumba and many other young musicians who always entertain the crowds at Bobi Wine's rallies. 

Makindye Municipality MP Steven Ssempala Kigozi: I support Bobi Wine because among all the opposition candidates in the race, he is the closest to the Democratic Party. His family has always been a historical body in DP and on top of that FDC seems to be disorganized just like always. 

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago: He has so far chosen to keep silent in this race although one of the founder members of the Truth and Justice DP pressure group (TJ) Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaku, came out openly and endorsed Bobi Wine. Via, a phone interview, he told New Vison that he is not willing to make any comment about this election and he chooses to remain so until further notice. 

NKUNYINGI MUWADA

Muwada is largely supported by FDC leaders in Wakiso who disagree with Kantinti's candidature. These include the Wakiso party chairman Caleb Muhanguzi, Kyadondo East constituency party chairman Robert James Kakande, special envoy in the office of the party president Ssewava Sserubiri and other councilors. Muwada claims that he is being sponsored by FDC leaders like Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo the vice president central region among others who wish to remain anonymous and most of them are FDC MPs. 

FDC spokesperson and Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda: Although Nganda has been silent all along, Nkunyingi Muwada an independent candidate claims he is behind him. Nganda's personal stand is critical because Kyadondo East used to be part of his constituency before it was split leaving him to represent Kira Municipality. Efforts to get a comment from him have been futile as he's been in Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage. 

APOLLO KANTINTI

Besides former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kantinti has the full support of most of the FDC leadership such as the party president Gregory Mugisha Muntu, the secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi, national mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe, deputy spokesperson Paul Mwiru and many others.

FDC national mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe (L) with Apollo Kantinti in Wampeewo Parish holding a rally. Photo by Ashraf Kasirye

The Kyadondo East DP woman chairperson Ruth Nansamba also has a group of DP leaders who chose to support the FDC candidate and these include councilors from different municipalities in Wakiso and Kampala.  

WILLIAM SITENDA SSEBALU

NRM's Sitenda Sebalu has most of the NRM leaders in the district regularly campaigning for him, MPs likes Simeo Nsubuga of Kasanda North, the NRM chairperson Wakiso district Hajji Abdul Kiyimba, NRM cadre Sylvia Namutebi commonly referred to as Maama Fiina, the youth MP central region Lillian Babirye Kityo and many others doing the same.

Ssebalu (left) holding a mini rally with Wakiso NRM chairperson Hajji Abdul Kiyimba in Masooli Parish at Ssebalu's home town called Kiwalimu. Photo by Ashraf Kasirye

Also behind him lies the entire manpower of the NRM secretariat led by secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba and the treasurer Rosemary Namayanja Nsereko who on several occasions mobilize voters and address them on behalf of the party candidate. Ssebalu also revealed to New Vision that in the last week of campaigns, over 86 NRM MPs, will go and solicit votes for him while President Museveni will be campaigning in Wampeewo, Wattuba and Gayaza parishes. 

Musician Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool

Although he is known to be an NRM supporter, something he​ did even during the time when his father Jabeli Bidandi Ssali contested for presidency, this time he believes he is "too big" to campaign for an MP. He told New Vision that journalists and people on social media have tried to drag him into Kyadondo East politics just because Bobi Wine a fellow musician is a contestant. "This is my clear statement, my politics with NRM only deals with President Museveni. I have nothing to do with Bobi Wine, if people vote for him or not I am not concerned. For the NRM candidate, if the President wants to go and campaign for him that is his role as an NRM leader but it has nothing to do with me" said Bebe Cool.