MP Lukwago asked to step down for Mabikke
Nov 11, 2010
THE Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) is in talks with Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago to convince him abandon the Kampala mayoral race.
By Jeff Lule
THE Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) is in talks with Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago to convince him abandon the Kampala mayoral race.
The head of the IPC secretariat, Dr. Frank Nabwiso, said an emergency meeting was held on Tuesday, but it ended without any resolution.
He noted that one of the candidates contesting for the same seat, Michael Mabikke, was absent.
“Lukwago attended but Mabikke was not around. We intend to hold another meeting on Friday and we expect results. This is aimed at reaching a consensus between the two. We cannot accept to lose two parliamentary seats in Kampala,†Nabwiso said.
A source who attended the meeting but preferred anonymity said some prominent IPC figures advised Lukwago to enter the parliamentary race, saying he was still popular.
The source said Lukwago accepted to abide with ‘any wise decision’ by the meeting, but insisted that they should respect the agreement that was signed by between Ssuubi 2011 and IPC.
Nabwiso said the meeting was only aimed at getting the best candidate between the two.
If Mabikke and Lukwago vie for the same post, Nabwiso said the IPC would have lost the Makidye West and Kampala Central parliamentary seats,  and the mayor’s seat.
“You cannot have two candidates contesting for one seat. This will give an advantage to the NRM to take the seats, since we would have shared our votes. As the opposition, these people are highly valued,†he said.
According to the memorandum of understanding signed between the IPC and Ssuubi 2011 recently, all candidates intending to contest within the Buganda region are supposed to be selected by a special committee led by the former Buganda premier, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere.
The agreement points out that a seven-man committee must be appointed and vote for the best candidate in various areas.
However, IPC officials said any political party leader within the four parties in the IPC would be considered first if he or she was interested in standing for any political position.
Lukwago, according to the source, accused IPC members of not respecting the agreement.
Other candidates for the mayoral seat are NRM’s Peter Ssematimba, Capt. Francis Babu (Independent) and little-known Sandra Katebalirwe, an independent candidate. The sixth is Emanuel Tumusiime, the president of the Forum for Integrity in Leadership.
Yesterday, DP withdrew its candidate, John Baptist Kakooza, over the recently-passed Kampala takeover Bill.
They said “the Bill fundamentally reduces the power of the people to elect an executive mayor.â€
DP spokesperson Kenneth Kakande told a press conference at the party’s offices at City House that they would back any other opposition candidate whose agenda rhymes with theirs.
Parliament last week passed the Kampala City Takeover Bill, which maintained that the Kampala mayor be elected through universal adult suffrage, and not an electoral college, as had been proposed.
THE Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) is in talks with Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago to convince him abandon the Kampala mayoral race.
The head of the IPC secretariat, Dr. Frank Nabwiso, said an emergency meeting was held on Tuesday, but it ended without any resolution.
He noted that one of the candidates contesting for the same seat, Michael Mabikke, was absent.
“Lukwago attended but Mabikke was not around. We intend to hold another meeting on Friday and we expect results. This is aimed at reaching a consensus between the two. We cannot accept to lose two parliamentary seats in Kampala,†Nabwiso said.
A source who attended the meeting but preferred anonymity said some prominent IPC figures advised Lukwago to enter the parliamentary race, saying he was still popular.
The source said Lukwago accepted to abide with ‘any wise decision’ by the meeting, but insisted that they should respect the agreement that was signed by between Ssuubi 2011 and IPC.
Nabwiso said the meeting was only aimed at getting the best candidate between the two.
If Mabikke and Lukwago vie for the same post, Nabwiso said the IPC would have lost the Makidye West and Kampala Central parliamentary seats,  and the mayor’s seat.
“You cannot have two candidates contesting for one seat. This will give an advantage to the NRM to take the seats, since we would have shared our votes. As the opposition, these people are highly valued,†he said.
According to the memorandum of understanding signed between the IPC and Ssuubi 2011 recently, all candidates intending to contest within the Buganda region are supposed to be selected by a special committee led by the former Buganda premier, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere.
The agreement points out that a seven-man committee must be appointed and vote for the best candidate in various areas.
However, IPC officials said any political party leader within the four parties in the IPC would be considered first if he or she was interested in standing for any political position.
Lukwago, according to the source, accused IPC members of not respecting the agreement.
Other candidates for the mayoral seat are NRM’s Peter Ssematimba, Capt. Francis Babu (Independent) and little-known Sandra Katebalirwe, an independent candidate. The sixth is Emanuel Tumusiime, the president of the Forum for Integrity in Leadership.
Yesterday, DP withdrew its candidate, John Baptist Kakooza, over the recently-passed Kampala takeover Bill.
They said “the Bill fundamentally reduces the power of the people to elect an executive mayor.â€
DP spokesperson Kenneth Kakande told a press conference at the party’s offices at City House that they would back any other opposition candidate whose agenda rhymes with theirs.
Parliament last week passed the Kampala City Takeover Bill, which maintained that the Kampala mayor be elected through universal adult suffrage, and not an electoral college, as had been proposed.