Some of the youth in EPU who are eying for different positions pose for a group photo after their party conference. Photo by Nelson Kiva

POLITICS|ELECTIONS

The Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU) has lined up over 120 candidates to participate in the 2021 general elections.

The party was fully registered under the Political Parties and Organization Act of 2005 in 2009 and has never fielded candidates since then.

Addressing people who have expressed interest to contest on the party ticket in Kampala on Monday, Charles Bbaale Lwanga, the party president said the party is well prepared to field candidates at different elective positions including the Presidency.

Bbaale who failed to secure the nomination of the Electoral Commission (EC) during the 2016 polls as the party Presidential candidate says this time round is well positioned to challenge President Yoweri Museveni.

"On Thursday this week I will pick the nomination forms to go around the country and be nominated by the party supporters," he said.

Bbaale's ejection from the nomination list at Namboole stadium in 2015 led to dramatic scenes that gave him mileage in popularity.

The EC led by Eng. Badru Kiggundu then faulted him of failing to meet requirements as set out for Presidential candidates.

He was accused of not paying the required Sh20m yet he had presented a cheque which according to the EC, had issues.

Bbaale said the party has managed to build structures and is ready to battle with all other existing political parties come 2021.

EPU is a member of Eastern Africa Greens Federation, African Greens Federation and the Global Greens.

According to Bbaale, they have had relative cohesion in the party. "We have transited from individual ownership of the party to collectivity in approach. I do not want to preside over a briefcase party. We have to field candidates," he said.

He revealed that the plan is to field over 120 candidates though many more are expected to seek the party endorsement.

The party executive director, Dorothy Nalubega said; "We are here for a consultative meeting regarding our party organizational capacity and needs assessment in the run up to the 2021 general elections."

"We have evaluated the current status of the green party, what we need to include in our strategy in terms of increasing our membership and laying strategies for winning the upcoming elections," she added.

Irene Nassolo, the party general secretary plans to unseat Medard Ssegona in Busiro East. "I have been a green member for a long time and that is why I stand on green party card. I want to promote the green ideology throughout the country and bring development in my area," she said.

Nathan Gahungu Makuregye, who is eying Kawempe South Parliamentary seat, plans to run on the green party ticket to promote green ideology and human rights.

Amy Nandas, who has expressed interest to run for woman LC5 Kawempe South, said she aims at effective representation of electorate and work for sustainable development.

Robinah Nanyunya, the party national chairperson who is going for Kawempe North Parliamentary seat said she targets to empower communities to rely on their own abilities using the green ideology and manifesto as a tool.