I deserve a third term, says Lukwago

POLITICS|LORD MAYOR|ELECTIONS

KAMPALA - Kampala city Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has defended his record at the City Hall, saying he deserves another term.

Lukwago, who is now a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), is vying for the position for the third time. Addressing journalists at his residence at Wakaliga in Kampala, yesterday, Lukwago said city dwellers should re-elect him basing on what he has done for the city.

Among other things, Lukwago said he has fought ‘cartels' and city businessmen who want to grab public properties, including markets such as St Balikuddembe (Owino) market and public parks.

According to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Act, 2019, the Lord Mayor is, among others, required to initiate strategies and programmes for the development of the city.

Lukwago said he has supervised KCCA top leaders and influenced a number of policy initiatives for the development of the city.

"I led the formulation of KCCA Markets Ordinance, which seeks to provide for licensing, regulation and management of markets," he said.

To promote Kampala as a tourism hub, Lukwago said the authority, under his political leadership, has erected different wild animal statues around the city, inscribed with words that direct citizens to where they can be found. Rubaga Division mayor and FDC acting president Joyce Ssebugwawo said city dwellers should vote for Lukwago because of what he has done for Kampala.

Kampala Central Division mayor Charles Sserunjogi said Lukwago should be re-elected since he is the leader of the opposition in Kampala.

Sserunjogi, who is also a DP member, said he will rally supporters to vote for Lukwago and other leaders that will serve people diligently.

Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka said the voters should also vote for an able team to work with Lukwago as councillors.

MP Mubarak Munyagwa said Lukwago has fought thugs at KCCA for the past 10 years.

Kira Municipality MP and opposition chief whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said as people celebrate the launch of Lukwago's candidature, they must understand what they are fighting for.

"We are not at war with any of the colleagues in the opposition, but with Museveni and the group that has launched a war to recapture Kampala," he said.

He said Lukwago is one of the best lawyers in Uganda, but abandoned his law firm to serve the people of Kampala.

This, according to Ssemujju, is the reason he is struggling with the President, who wants the city under his control.

Mukono Municipality MP and Kampala shadow minister Betty Nambooze said they are not operating in normal times as they are politically at war. She said the politics they want today should not be of governance, but that of resistance.

Sheikh Shafi k Mafu, who presided over prayers, said when God favours a person; He calls his Angel Jibril and assigns him to build love for that person among all the people.