Will Makumbi carry his late wife’s mantle?
WHEN the race for the by-elections in Rubaga Division kicks off in a month’s time, one of the candidates will be Moses Makumbi, husband to the late division chairperson, Winnie Makumbi. He, after ‘consultations and a request’ from his supporters, accepted to stand in the ‘shoes’ of his lat
By Joshua Kato
WHEN the race for the by-elections in Rubaga Division kicks off in a month’s time, one of the candidates will be Moses Makumbi, husband to the late division chairperson, Winnie Makumbi. He, after ‘consultations and a request’ from his supporters, accepted to stand in the ‘shoes’ of his late wife to ‘continue implementing’ her good programmes.
Makumbi was nominated by his party, the Democratic Party (DP) as its official candidate. Elections are due in July. For the last few months, many local leaders and MPs have had relatives replace them in by-elections. This might also be the case in Rubaga.
“I should not say I am walking in my late wife’s foot steps. Yes, she may have had influence in the division, but I am also a veteran politician,†he says, adding: “I am my own politician.â€
Makumbi is not new in politics. In 1999, he was the guild president of the Institute of Teachers Education, Kyambogo (ITEK). Before then, he was a member of the Uganda Young Democrats.
When his name was muted by Kampala Mayor Nasser Ssebagala days after Winnie’s death, Makumbi was reluctant to contest on the DP ticket.
“I am still mourning. I need time to think about it,†he said.
However, persistent convincing by party friends saw him accept to stand.
The bespectacled, quiet man says he likes acting behind the scenes. “I have been a pillar of my late wife. We made all the winning strategies together,†he says.
He explains that at one time, he helped her make a good decision to first stand for councillorship, before going for the main seat at the division. With this background, Makumbi has everything it takes to effectively govern the division.
Rubaga Division is one of the traditional opposition strongholds in the city. Both Members of Parliament, Beti Kamya (Rubaga North and Suzan Nampijja (Rubaga South) are members of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Conservative Party, respectively.
In the run-up to this race, however, there has been infighting among the opposition, with the FDC calling on DP to leave the seat for them. FDC is fronting Joyce Ssebugwawo, a veteran national and Buganda politician, while the Social Democratic Party has former councillor Henry Lubowa.
However, Makumbi insists: “We are the strongest group in the division and if the opposition is to put up a single candidate, it should be me, the DP candidate,†he says.
Even before he is elected into office, Makumbi already has a work plan for the division. He hopes to improve the drainage system, roads, stop market wrangles and illegal land evictions and also develop women.
“I have personal, party and national programmes. The guiding principle is that I will implement all of them irrespective of political stands,†he says.
One of Makumbi’s programmes will involve turning the division into a cultural tourism centre.
“Rubaga Division has many cultural sites. It is home to the Bulange (official seat of Buganda government), the Twekobe (Kabaka’s official residence) and the Amasiro (traditional burial ground of Buganda kings).
When he takes over office, Makumbi plans to stop land evictions and land grabbing.
“We have many illegal land evictions in the division. I will try to find solutions for them,†he says.
Makumbi is lucky that about 90% of the councillors at the division are members of the opposition. This will ease the implementation of his programmes if he wins.
Born to Daniel Bugembe of Maya on Masaka Road, Makumbi went to Kabojja Primary School, Savio Junior School, Namilyango College for O’Level and Makerere College School for A’level.
He holds a diploma in education from former ITEK, a bachelors degree in education administration and a master’s degree in ethics, majoring in public policy management and local governance.
WHEN the race for the by-elections in Rubaga Division kicks off in a month’s time, one of the candidates will be Moses Makumbi, husband to the late division chairperson, Winnie Makumbi. He, after ‘consultations and a request’ from his supporters, accepted to stand in the ‘shoes’ of his late wife to ‘continue implementing’ her good programmes.
Makumbi was nominated by his party, the Democratic Party (DP) as its official candidate. Elections are due in July. For the last few months, many local leaders and MPs have had relatives replace them in by-elections. This might also be the case in Rubaga.
“I should not say I am walking in my late wife’s foot steps. Yes, she may have had influence in the division, but I am also a veteran politician,†he says, adding: “I am my own politician.â€
Makumbi is not new in politics. In 1999, he was the guild president of the Institute of Teachers Education, Kyambogo (ITEK). Before then, he was a member of the Uganda Young Democrats.
When his name was muted by Kampala Mayor Nasser Ssebagala days after Winnie’s death, Makumbi was reluctant to contest on the DP ticket.
“I am still mourning. I need time to think about it,†he said.
However, persistent convincing by party friends saw him accept to stand.
The bespectacled, quiet man says he likes acting behind the scenes. “I have been a pillar of my late wife. We made all the winning strategies together,†he says.
He explains that at one time, he helped her make a good decision to first stand for councillorship, before going for the main seat at the division. With this background, Makumbi has everything it takes to effectively govern the division.
Rubaga Division is one of the traditional opposition strongholds in the city. Both Members of Parliament, Beti Kamya (Rubaga North and Suzan Nampijja (Rubaga South) are members of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Conservative Party, respectively.
In the run-up to this race, however, there has been infighting among the opposition, with the FDC calling on DP to leave the seat for them. FDC is fronting Joyce Ssebugwawo, a veteran national and Buganda politician, while the Social Democratic Party has former councillor Henry Lubowa.
However, Makumbi insists: “We are the strongest group in the division and if the opposition is to put up a single candidate, it should be me, the DP candidate,†he says.
Even before he is elected into office, Makumbi already has a work plan for the division. He hopes to improve the drainage system, roads, stop market wrangles and illegal land evictions and also develop women.
“I have personal, party and national programmes. The guiding principle is that I will implement all of them irrespective of political stands,†he says.
One of Makumbi’s programmes will involve turning the division into a cultural tourism centre.
“Rubaga Division has many cultural sites. It is home to the Bulange (official seat of Buganda government), the Twekobe (Kabaka’s official residence) and the Amasiro (traditional burial ground of Buganda kings).
When he takes over office, Makumbi plans to stop land evictions and land grabbing.
“We have many illegal land evictions in the division. I will try to find solutions for them,†he says.
Makumbi is lucky that about 90% of the councillors at the division are members of the opposition. This will ease the implementation of his programmes if he wins.
Born to Daniel Bugembe of Maya on Masaka Road, Makumbi went to Kabojja Primary School, Savio Junior School, Namilyango College for O’Level and Makerere College School for A’level.
He holds a diploma in education from former ITEK, a bachelors degree in education administration and a master’s degree in ethics, majoring in public policy management and local governance.