How will the Kampala MP race shape up?
Feb 14, 2011
THE race for Members of Parliament has never been as balanced as it is today. This is because all the three leading political parties, that is Democratic Party (DP), National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), have got a chance of getting a seat in the Kampala race.
By Joshua Kato
THE race for Members of Parliament has never been as balanced as it is today. This is because all the three leading political parties, that is Democratic Party (DP), National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), have got a chance of getting a seat in the Kampala race.
DP is likely to retain two of the three seats that they held in the last Parliament, largely because Erias Lukwago decided not to stand for MP again, while the NRM look to add two seats to the single seat that they held in the 8th Parliament.
FDC will also retain one of the two seats that they held in the 8th Parliament, largely because Beti Kamya decided to leave the FDC, while the Conservative Party (CP) will retain the Rubaga South seat which will move from daughter to father.
JEMA will retain their seat in Makindye West too. The other political parties like Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and People’s Development Party (PDP) will have no seat in the city.
Kawempe North
In Kawempe North, Latif Ssebagala is facing stiff competition from the NRM flag-bearer, Wilson Kyambade and the outgoing LC3 chairman Nasser Takuba. Ssegirinya ‘edoboozi’ lye Kyebando is also a contender.
Takuba stood for the seat largely due to the internal wrangles within DP. He alleges that Ssebagala was the architect of a plan in which a certain Ssali Konkomebi was supported to stand for the division chairmanship, against Takuba.
Takuba subsequently lost to Ssali in the DP primaries. In revenge, he decided to stand against Ssebagala.
Ssebagala though is likely to win because according to a survey in the constituency, he has got good pro-people policies. He is likely to face his biggest challenge around the Kawempe Mbogo area which is the home area of Takuba.
In the previous polls, Ssebagala has performed well in Takuba’s home area. However, even without this support, chances are that he will retain his seat.
Kawempe South
In Kawempe South, Ssebuliba Mutumba is standing against little known candidates. He is pitted against 7 other candidates, which is good for an incumbent and that is why he will win it easily.
Ssebuliba portrays himself as one of the tested opposition MPs. Well knowing that Buganda is an issue in the constituency, Ssebuliba never wavers in his articulation of Buganda issues.
“He returns to us and consults whenever there is a problem. He also shares the Constituency Fund with us,†said Edward Lutuuma, a trader in Kalerwe. This down-to-earth attitude makes opposition against Ssebuliba difficult.
Nakawa Division
Incumbent NRM MP Fred Ruhiindi is facing stiff competition from Micheal Kabaziguruka (FDC) and Kenneth Paul Kakande (DP).
There is also Balimwezo, a fairly powerful independent candidate, if his performance in 2006 is to go by.
But because of the ‘crowded opposition field’ Ruhiindi is the favourite for the seat. In this race, the NRM has got one candidate who is assured of a block vote. Verdict: Fred Ruhiindi will take the seat.
Kampala Central Division
After the incumbent MP, Erias Lukwago, moved for the mayoral seat, he left a vacuum in the division.
Candidates vying for the seat are Eddy Yawe (DP), the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) flag-bearer Kibirige Mayanja, Mohamed Nsereko (NRM) and little known Ernest Kivumbi who is running on the PDP ticket.
At the moment, Nsereko and Yawe are running neck-and-neck. However, given the fact that the Central Division is largely NRM, Nsereko is likely to win.
Nsereko is young and boisterous. He has quickly captured the eyes of the NRM top leaders, culminating into his election as the NRM chairman for Kampala Central.
In the primaries, he defeated the tried and tested Captain Francis Babu. One would have imagined that since Kibirige Mayanja is a former presidential candidate, he had more clout than the youngsters he is standing against.
However, this is not the case because Kibirige was simply ‘dumped’ here from Busiro at the last moment in order to give way for Merdard Lubega. Verdict: Mohamed Nsereko will win.
Rubaga North
Former Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya decided to go for the presidency. The opposition made one mistake-putting up three strong candidates against one notable NRM candidate. The opposition candidates are Kikonyogo (FDC) Henry Lubowa (IPC/SDP) and Moses Kasibante who also claims to belong to the IPC/Suubi group.
There is also Uganda Federal Alliance`s Solomon Tamale, who is largely riding on the back of Beti Kamya`s achievements.
With such a crowded field, NRM`s Katongole Singh will have no problems taking the seat.
Rubaga South
Formerly occupied by Ken Lukyamuzi who passed the seat on to his daughter, he has now returned to take it back.
Lukyamuzi is unstoppable and will win it. Ever since he took over the seat in 1996, he seems to have ‘charmed’ the people of Rubaga South in a way that even if he does not campaign, he will win.
“He left unceremoniously in 2005 and that is why we are intent on giving him another chance, probably his last,†said Sarah Namwanje, one of his constituents.
Makindye East
The incumbent MP, Michael Mabikke, decided to join the mayoral race, leaving the seat in the hands of several contenders. Among these is Sarah Kanyike (DP) who Mabikke contested against in 2006.
She is contesting against FDC`s Ibrahim Kasozi and outgoing Rubaga South MP Susan Nampijja. However, Nampijja is seen as an opportunist, who after failing to convince her father to keep away from Rubaga South, decided to jump into Makindye. This time round, Kanyike is ‘into things’, largely because she is the most consistent of all the contestants.
Makindye West
Hussein Kyanjo has no serious competition here. Despite former Makindye division speaker Richard Kalibbala putting up some notable competition, together with the NRM candidate Omulangira Ssimbwa, the seat remains Kyanjo`s for the taking. In the last few years, Kyanjo has propelled himself as a leading agitator for Buganda issues and this is the line he is using back to parliament.
Kampala Woman MP
Five candidates are contesting for the Kampala Woman MP seat. However, two of them are standing out of this crowd.
The main battle is between Nabilah Nagayi (FDC) and NRM`s Margaret Nantongo Zziwa. Given the fact that the city is largely an opposition strong hold, Nabilah has a big advantage to rtain the seat.
Nabilah has for the last five years propelled herself as a pro-woman, pro-people legislator. Her wrangles with the Police in St Balikudembe (OWino) market, Nsambya and other areas have drawn sympathy for her. Having been initiated into politics in 2006, she can now stand on her own.
Likely city MPs after the elections
After the elections, the NRM is likely to make significant gains in the city. In the previous Parliament, NRM had just one MP from the city.
However, the party is likely to increase that number to three in the 9th Parliament.
Kawempe North: Latif Ssebagala (DP).
Kawempe South: Ssebuliba Mutumba (DP).
Nakawa: Fred Ruhiindi (NRM).
Makindye East: Sarah Kanyike (DP).
Makindye West: Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA).
Rubaga South: Ken Lukyamuzi (CP).
Rubaga North: Singh Katongole (NRM).
Kampala Central: Mohamed Nsereko (NRM).
Woman MP: Nabilah Naggayi (FDC).
THE race for Members of Parliament has never been as balanced as it is today. This is because all the three leading political parties, that is Democratic Party (DP), National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), have got a chance of getting a seat in the Kampala race.
DP is likely to retain two of the three seats that they held in the last Parliament, largely because Erias Lukwago decided not to stand for MP again, while the NRM look to add two seats to the single seat that they held in the 8th Parliament.
FDC will also retain one of the two seats that they held in the 8th Parliament, largely because Beti Kamya decided to leave the FDC, while the Conservative Party (CP) will retain the Rubaga South seat which will move from daughter to father.
JEMA will retain their seat in Makindye West too. The other political parties like Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and People’s Development Party (PDP) will have no seat in the city.
Kawempe North
In Kawempe North, Latif Ssebagala is facing stiff competition from the NRM flag-bearer, Wilson Kyambade and the outgoing LC3 chairman Nasser Takuba. Ssegirinya ‘edoboozi’ lye Kyebando is also a contender.
Takuba stood for the seat largely due to the internal wrangles within DP. He alleges that Ssebagala was the architect of a plan in which a certain Ssali Konkomebi was supported to stand for the division chairmanship, against Takuba.
Takuba subsequently lost to Ssali in the DP primaries. In revenge, he decided to stand against Ssebagala.
Ssebagala though is likely to win because according to a survey in the constituency, he has got good pro-people policies. He is likely to face his biggest challenge around the Kawempe Mbogo area which is the home area of Takuba.
In the previous polls, Ssebagala has performed well in Takuba’s home area. However, even without this support, chances are that he will retain his seat.
Kawempe South
In Kawempe South, Ssebuliba Mutumba is standing against little known candidates. He is pitted against 7 other candidates, which is good for an incumbent and that is why he will win it easily.
Ssebuliba portrays himself as one of the tested opposition MPs. Well knowing that Buganda is an issue in the constituency, Ssebuliba never wavers in his articulation of Buganda issues.
“He returns to us and consults whenever there is a problem. He also shares the Constituency Fund with us,†said Edward Lutuuma, a trader in Kalerwe. This down-to-earth attitude makes opposition against Ssebuliba difficult.
Nakawa Division
Incumbent NRM MP Fred Ruhiindi is facing stiff competition from Micheal Kabaziguruka (FDC) and Kenneth Paul Kakande (DP).
There is also Balimwezo, a fairly powerful independent candidate, if his performance in 2006 is to go by.
But because of the ‘crowded opposition field’ Ruhiindi is the favourite for the seat. In this race, the NRM has got one candidate who is assured of a block vote. Verdict: Fred Ruhiindi will take the seat.
Kampala Central Division
After the incumbent MP, Erias Lukwago, moved for the mayoral seat, he left a vacuum in the division.
Candidates vying for the seat are Eddy Yawe (DP), the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) flag-bearer Kibirige Mayanja, Mohamed Nsereko (NRM) and little known Ernest Kivumbi who is running on the PDP ticket.
At the moment, Nsereko and Yawe are running neck-and-neck. However, given the fact that the Central Division is largely NRM, Nsereko is likely to win.
Nsereko is young and boisterous. He has quickly captured the eyes of the NRM top leaders, culminating into his election as the NRM chairman for Kampala Central.
In the primaries, he defeated the tried and tested Captain Francis Babu. One would have imagined that since Kibirige Mayanja is a former presidential candidate, he had more clout than the youngsters he is standing against.
However, this is not the case because Kibirige was simply ‘dumped’ here from Busiro at the last moment in order to give way for Merdard Lubega. Verdict: Mohamed Nsereko will win.
Rubaga North
Former Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya decided to go for the presidency. The opposition made one mistake-putting up three strong candidates against one notable NRM candidate. The opposition candidates are Kikonyogo (FDC) Henry Lubowa (IPC/SDP) and Moses Kasibante who also claims to belong to the IPC/Suubi group.
There is also Uganda Federal Alliance`s Solomon Tamale, who is largely riding on the back of Beti Kamya`s achievements.
With such a crowded field, NRM`s Katongole Singh will have no problems taking the seat.
Rubaga South
Formerly occupied by Ken Lukyamuzi who passed the seat on to his daughter, he has now returned to take it back.
Lukyamuzi is unstoppable and will win it. Ever since he took over the seat in 1996, he seems to have ‘charmed’ the people of Rubaga South in a way that even if he does not campaign, he will win.
“He left unceremoniously in 2005 and that is why we are intent on giving him another chance, probably his last,†said Sarah Namwanje, one of his constituents.
Makindye East
The incumbent MP, Michael Mabikke, decided to join the mayoral race, leaving the seat in the hands of several contenders. Among these is Sarah Kanyike (DP) who Mabikke contested against in 2006.
She is contesting against FDC`s Ibrahim Kasozi and outgoing Rubaga South MP Susan Nampijja. However, Nampijja is seen as an opportunist, who after failing to convince her father to keep away from Rubaga South, decided to jump into Makindye. This time round, Kanyike is ‘into things’, largely because she is the most consistent of all the contestants.
Makindye West
Hussein Kyanjo has no serious competition here. Despite former Makindye division speaker Richard Kalibbala putting up some notable competition, together with the NRM candidate Omulangira Ssimbwa, the seat remains Kyanjo`s for the taking. In the last few years, Kyanjo has propelled himself as a leading agitator for Buganda issues and this is the line he is using back to parliament.
Kampala Woman MP
Five candidates are contesting for the Kampala Woman MP seat. However, two of them are standing out of this crowd.
The main battle is between Nabilah Nagayi (FDC) and NRM`s Margaret Nantongo Zziwa. Given the fact that the city is largely an opposition strong hold, Nabilah has a big advantage to rtain the seat.
Nabilah has for the last five years propelled herself as a pro-woman, pro-people legislator. Her wrangles with the Police in St Balikudembe (OWino) market, Nsambya and other areas have drawn sympathy for her. Having been initiated into politics in 2006, she can now stand on her own.
Likely city MPs after the elections
After the elections, the NRM is likely to make significant gains in the city. In the previous Parliament, NRM had just one MP from the city.
However, the party is likely to increase that number to three in the 9th Parliament.
Kawempe North: Latif Ssebagala (DP).
Kawempe South: Ssebuliba Mutumba (DP).
Nakawa: Fred Ruhiindi (NRM).
Makindye East: Sarah Kanyike (DP).
Makindye West: Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA).
Rubaga South: Ken Lukyamuzi (CP).
Rubaga North: Singh Katongole (NRM).
Kampala Central: Mohamed Nsereko (NRM).
Woman MP: Nabilah Naggayi (FDC).