Kiwanda sheds tears as he pulls out of race

ELECTION WATCH | POLITCS 

State minister for tourism Godfrey Kiwanda recently shed tears as he announced that he had pulled out of the Mityana North parliamentary race.

Kiwanda gathered some of the NRM district leaders and some of his supporters at his home at Mutetema village in Kalangalo sub-county, to break the news.

As the meeting started, Kiwanda spent over two hours explaining to the gathering how big the position he had won (vice-chairperson in Central Executive Committee of NRM) was.

He could not bring himself to making the announcement.

"I have a lot of work, especially to mobilise for support of the party in the central region," he said.

It took the Government chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa, who was attending the ceremony, to announce that Kiwanda had pulled out of the parliamentary race.

"We realised that this is a important position which needs a lot of time and energy that one must concentrate on it," she said.

Nankabirwa's address was cut short as Kiwanda's supporters became rowdy saying they had betrayed them.

Kiwanda picked the microphone again and asked his supporters to remain calm and supportive of the party.

Some of the supporters started crying, which drove Kiwanda to tears.

NRM district leaders including John Kintu, district party chairperson Muhammad Kibedi Nsegumire and other supporters tried to comfort him.

Kiwanda's withdrawal means Nsegumire remains unopposed in the NRM primaries for the Mityana North seat.

It was not clear whether there was a deal between Kiwanda and Nsegumire, who also pulled out of the NRM CEC race for vice-chairperson of central region, last week.

Many supporters of Kiwanda blamed him for taking the decision late when they could not find an alternative candidate.

However, others thanked him for being brave and taking a decision maturely.

"We hope we shall benefit more from his new positions," Ismail Byekwaso said.

The meeting was attended by the Mityana district chairperson, Joseph Luzige and Abdu Muyimbwa, who is also vying for the position of district chairperson on the party ticket.

Others included Michael Makonzi, who once tried to contest in Mityana North, but pulled out.

Makonzi was allowed to address the gathering, but did not mention whether he would return to contest for the test.