FDC, NRM scoff at Nabillah's NUP endorsement

POLITICS   2021 ELECTIONS

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have scoffed at the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament (MP), Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala, after being endorsed as Kampala Lord Mayor flag-bearer for the National Unity Platform (NUP).

On Monday, NUP's elections management committee, chaired by Mercy Walukamba, declared Ssempala as the NUP flag-bearer for the position of Kampala Lord Mayor, after beating Kudrah Ssali.

NUP re-opened the vetting of aspirants to carry the flag for the position of Lord Mayor after MP Latif Ssebagala pulled out of the race, just days after the party endorsed him as its flag-bearer for the position.

Ssempala is Ssebagala's sister-in-law. Ssebagala competed with musician Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone, who has since decided to contest as an independent, with the backing of a section of NUP bigwigs, led by Samuel Walter Lubega.

FDC deputy secretary-general, Harod Kaija said their candidate, Erias Lukwago, is incomparable with Ssempala or any other candidate in terms of competence. 

"Ssempala has been our member, but the day we discovered she had derailed from our party norms and principles, we decided to do away with her, to pave way for other candidates," Kaija said.

Ssempala, who was clad in NUP colours, said FDC is full of intrigue and discrimination.

"They have always branded me a mole and made it a basis to frustrate my political endeavours. But, am I the one who took away Winnie Kiiza from the party or Beatrice Anywar?" she asked. Kiiza recently joined Alliance for National Transformation while Anywar has since defected to the NRM.

Ssempala added that FDC only appoints women in positions purposely to hoodwink the public that they play inclusive politics.

However, FDC dismissed Ssempala's accusations as unfounded. "If she says FDC, which has given her an opportunity to run on its flag three times, is bad, then she is free to try her luck elsewhere."

They added that the party has embraced and respects women more than any other political party in the country.

They asserted that the party entrusted Kasese Woman MP Kiiza as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament before she was replaced by Gulu Woman MP Betty Aol. 

"Besides that, the current acting party president is Joyce Nabbosa Ssebuggwawo and the party acting chairperson is Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, all women. So, she should not mislead the public," Kaija added.

NRM secretariat spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa said: "I do not think Ssempala's nomination adds any value to the Opposition because she is among the same people that Ugandans have always seen for the past years."

He added that NRM's prime target is to prepare its candidates so that they win elections in different positions, including the city mayoral race. 

After Ssebagala's withdrawal, there was speculation that NUP would endorse Chameleone. But the party opted to reopen vetting. Consequently, Ssempala took the opportunity to present her application.

She earlier wanted to stand on the FDC ticket but was disqualified on grounds that she submitted her forms after deadline. She then announced that she would contest as an independent. 

Six people vying for the position of Lord Mayor had by Monday submitted nomination lists to the Electoral Commission for verification. 

They are the incumbent Lukwago (FDC), Chameleone (independent), Beatrice Kayanja (DP), Isaac Ssendagire (Independent), Innocent Kawooya (Independent) and Ben Lule (Independent). Daniel Kazibwe aka Ragga Dee (NRM) is yet to submit his signatures.