Nominations Begin Today

By Okello Jabweli NOMINATION of parliamentary candidates kicks off today across the country. Vice-President Speciosa Kazibwe (Kigulu South) is among several big shots expected to be nominated today. Kazibwe's principal private secretary Martin Lagara said an advance team was in Iganga, laying groundwork for her nomination. He, however, would not say what time she would be nominated. As of yesterday, three other contenders had expressed interest in Kazibwe's seat. Also to be nominated today are National Political Commissar James Wapakhabulo (Mbale Municipality), Winnie Byanyima (Mbarara Municipality) and finance state minister Manzi Tumubweine (Rukiga). A source close to Wapakhabulo said yesterday he will be nominated at 11:00am in Mbale Municipality. Byanyima is scheduled to be nominated at 12:30pm while her challenger, Mbarara Resident District Commissioner Ngoma Ngime will be nominated tomorrow at 3:30pm. The Mbarara municipality race promises to be one of the hottest with two other candidates challenging Byanyima and Ngoma Ngime. Energy minister Syda Bbumba is also up for a stiff challenge from four other candidates for the Nakaseke seat. Incumbent Pascal Mukasa died a few months ago. The other hopefuls for the seat are Maj. Jero Bwende, mobile phone giant MTN's R. Kafeero, former UPTC boss Sempala Mbuga and new entrant Buganda minister and businessman Kaddu Kiberu. All five are to be nominated on Tuesday in Luwero town. Tumubweine, who is seeking re-election for the Rukiga parliamentary seat, is to be nominated at 2:00pm in Kabale. He is running against his perennial arch-rival Jack Sabiti. Nomination of directly elected MPs ends tomorrow and that for district women representatives runs from Wednesday to Thursday. The last nominations were in 1996. However unlike the last election in which almost all incumbents sought re-election, many senior ministers and legislators like Eriya Kategaya (Rwampara), Bidandi Ssali (Nakawa), Kintu Musoke (Kalungu East) and Mayanja Nkangi (Kalungi West). have said they will not stand this time. The other big names who are not standing are Gerald Ssendaula (Bukoto South), Maj. Jacob Assimwe (Isingiro North), Philemon Mateke (Bufumbira South), Vincent Kimera (Bukoto East), Henry Kyemba (Jinja Municipality West), Sam Njuba (Kyadondo East) and A. Bagunywa (Mityana South). Veteran politician Paul Etiang (Tororo county) leads the pack of the few old-timers who have refused to go, while his contemporary, Abu Mayanja, is launching a comeback in Mityana South. Etiang faces a host of youthful candidates, including Youth MP for Eastern Uganda Geoffrey Ekanya. The Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, an ex-officio MP, is not contesting for any seat. The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Francis Ayume, is to be nominated tomorrow at 2:00pm in Arua town for his Koboko parliamentary seat. Ayume told The New Vision on Friday that he would be nominated by Mr. Isaac Peter Todoko and Mrs. Lucy Agako. About his chances of bouncing back, Ayume said, "I think my chances are very bright because of my track record and what I have done for the people of Koboko." Ayume has only one opponent, Mr. Elly Asiku, of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Others to be nominated on Tuesday include former presidential candidate Aggrey Awori, Butembe MP Daudi Migereko and his Kashari counterpart, Maj. John Kazoora. Awori, who is seeking re-election for his Samia Bugwe North seat, told The New Vision on Friday that his chances of re-election were as good as ever. He, however, expressed disappointment that people are laying more emphasis on money instead of issues. "In the process we are going to lose sight of development," he said. Migereko, the deputy director in the National Politcal Commissar's office, said his chances of bouncing back were good. "I've tried my best to serve the people in accordance with my own manifesto and that of the President and my people are with me," he said. Kazoora said he would be nominated at 11:00am by councillors Tom Karuhanga and Sylvia Akankwasa. "I am confident of over 80% win because of my performance on the floor of Parliament and in the delivery of services in the constituency," he said. Ends