Appease Ben Kiwanuka's ghost by voting DP - Mao

ELECTION WATCH|POLITICS|DP

KAMPALA - The Demotic Party (DP) President, Norbert Mao has pledged to Ugandans  to vote for his party in power in the forthcoming  2021 General Elections to appease Ben Kiwanuka's ghost, the founder of the party.

"The  martyrdom of the late Ben Kiwanuka is crying for compensation, it is demanding Uganda to vote DP in power come 2021 general elections," Mao said, adding that DP is the party that will come to power without causing blood shed .

Benedicto Kagimu Kiwanuka (May 8, 1922 - September 22, 1972) was the first prime minister of Uganda, a leader of DP, and among the persons who led the country in the transition between colonial British rule and independence.

However, he was murdered by Idi Amin's regime in 1972.

Mao said this on Tuesday, while endorsing Beatrice Kayanja to contest for Kampala Lord Mayoral seat on DP ticket at the party headquarters at Balintuma road in Mengo a city suburb.

At the same function, Mao also met aspirants of different national positions, saying those who left the party must know that their choices have consequences.

Kayanja, who has been living in the United Kingdom, is a daughter of businessman Joseph William Kiwanuka the managing director of Statewide Insurance Company (SWICO) and an Information Technology (IT) engineer who studied in UK.

Kayanja said she grew up in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, describing herself as a mother and wife, adding that Kampala has many challenges but when faced with honesty, empathy and teamwork, can be fixed.

Amidst ululations of DP popular songs such as, DP Egumire ….., , Kayanja was given a DP membership card,  a wooden hoe party symbol that recognizes DP was told to tie up the green party flag to a pole a sign of initiation into the 66 year old political  party in Uganda.
 
DP Secretary of Kampala district, Ronald Muyini, nominated Kayanja having paid nomination fees.

Meanwhile, Sumayiyah Muwange (journalist), also contesting for Kampala Woman MP seat on the same party ticket, seconded Kayanja.

Kayanja stressed that voters do not have to merely choose between political parties, but consider one's exposure.

"They have to choose between what works and what doesn't work for them, therefore my candidature presents an opportunity to end the era of lamentations and embrace a proactive approach which will focus on more work and less politicking," Kayanja said.

"Joblessness, poor housing, broken healthcare and education systems, crime, corruption, unfair taxation, decayed physical infrastructure, and an overbearing and inefficient bureaucracy is a source of pain to Kampala dwellers," Kayanja noted.

Kayanja, said these and many more problems afflict Kampala city and it is the Lord Mayor to offer solutions not excuses.

"It takes political courage, teamwork and renewed sense of ownership by all who live and work in the city to transform it," she stated.

She said Kampala has the required resources but its priorities are wrong. "I will ensure I use the available resources to provide free healthcare for all under age of five," Kayanja said.

When voted into office, she pledged to lobby the government to slice import taxes and VAT on equipment which will help establish cottage industries. The equipment includes juice making machines, coffee machines and bakeries.

She promised to use the existing Kampala city labour office to protect employees from exploitation most of whom have no contracts and their employers exploit the absence of a minimum wage in the country.
 
 Back ground
 
The race for Kampala Lord Mayoral seat has gained momentum as the number of aspirants contesting for the same has reached seven with the latest entrant being Kayanja, an Information Technology (IT) engineer.

Others are,  Elias Lukwango the incumbent who recently crossed to Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) will contest on FDC ticket.

Godfrey Nyakana Amooti, a former mayor of Kampala Central municipal division, also announced plans to contest on NRM ticket, Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala, the current Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, Nasser Ntege Sebaggala, a former Mayor of Kampala and artistes, Joseph Mayanja aka Chameleone and Daniel Kazibwe alias Ragga Dee.