Parliament race: Hot seats to look out for

By Patrick Luganda The elephants have finished fighting. The bull fights will now begin. The arena is set for members of parliament to tussle it out in the constituencies. A good number of incumbent MPs are lined up for the chopping blocks. The reasons for the wrath of the voters are as many as they are varied. 'They have failed to deliver.' That is the voters' war cry. The challengers are blowing their horns. The people are patiently waiting for the vote seekers to arrive. Deep down in their hearts the voters will not hand their votes on a silver platter. "Whoever wants my vote will have to show that they are worth receiving it. People are sharp these days they no longer want representatives who waste time doing nothing in parliament," says Christopher Ndibadawa, Mukono. The prize seat on the blocks is Kigulu South Iganga district held by Vice President Dr. Wandira Kazibwe. A number of challengers have emerged to unseat her. Mbarara Resident District Commissioner Ngoma Ngime is the man to watch here. Those backing Ngoma's bid say that there was an agreement 1996 for him to leave Kazibwe to stand for the post for one term only. Now it is his turn. "Kazibwe reached an understanding with Ngoma Ngime at Iganga primary school. That meeting was attended by opinion leaders and they agreed that she stands for only one term. The meeting was brokered by Kakooza Mutale,' says a source in Iganga. However Kazibwe is telling supporters in Kigulu South to relax. She never signed any agreement with Ngoma Ngime or anybody. She promises to give her challengers bloody noses. Ngime's supporters say he will give Kazibwe a run for her money. Matters are not made any better when the LC V Chairman Patrick Bageya jumps in the fray. He says that he will solidly back the challenge to oust Kazibwe. The women in the constituencies will not go down without a fight. Winnie Byanyima MP Mbarara municipality will soon pitch camp in her constituency to sort out matters with her people. Major General Salim Saleh has voiced intentions of smoking her out of the constituency. Instead she promises him a flogging. Of the number on the bandwagon thus far Daudi Kasibante the Deputy RDC Kamwenge is at it again. He has competed and lost in all the elections since the Constituent Assembly. Like a good player in the Mbarara hot race, he keeps coming back. Tororo's Budama North constituency is another hot seat. Although six men are out to throw her from Budama North constituency in Tororo Tezra Jamwa is warming up to thrash them. In Tororo municipality the vote hunting has started in earnest. Incumbent Paul Etyang will have to sort out his house to stall Steven Ongaria. Ends