KAWEMPE NORTH: NUP flag bearers reject Ssegirinya for MP seat

ELECTION WATCH|NUP PRIMARIES|KAWEMPE NORTH

KAMPALA - Divisions with the National Unity Platform (NUP) party have emerged in Kawempe North, as some of the flag bearers have vowed not to support Mohammed Ssegirinya as the flag bearer for the MP seat.

A group of 40 flag bearers led by the party Coordinator Kawempe North, Charles Serubiri questioned the criteria which was used by the NUP vetting committee to front Ssegirinya as the best choice.

It should be noted NUP has 48 flag bearers in Kawempe North.
 
"We think the vetting committee did not carry out enough research and consultations in the area. They stopped at boda boda stages without engaging other people in the area. It is only near boda boda stages where you find Ssegirinya's posters," Sserubiri said.

The members claim through a series of meetings and consultations among the residents in the area, they discovered that Ssegirinya was not the right choice for the people of Kawempe North.

"We discovered a disconnection between Ssegirinya and the people, given the fact the lord councilor has been representing two parishes out of the nine making up the constituency while the other parishes he represents are in Kawempe South," Sserubiri added.

He said this was a clear indication that Ssegirinya is not well-grounded in leadership and governance to the level of the Member of Parliament and not fit to represent the area given his conduct and behavior.

"We have therefore been compelled to go by the general consensus across Kawempe North which shows that the NUP Organising Secretary Sulaiman Kidandala is the best choice to replace the outgoing MP Latif Ssebaggala who has been in the seat for 20 years," he said.

Kidandala is the latest figure to disagree with the vetting committee, having been denied the NUP ticket.

Others who were rejected by the vetting committee include: Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleon for the Kampala Lord Mayor seat, Moses Kasibante (Rubaga Nother incumbent MP). All these are planning to stand as independents.

Sserubiri stressed that they have decided to rally behind Kidandala as the next area MP as an independent, given his experience in local and national politics, and his administrative knowledge and skills over the years.

"These people are just not fair to Kidandala. He is one of the founders of the party and has been able to mobilize many people from other parties to join this party. How can they tell us that he does not qualify to represent a constituency?" Imail Musisi, one of the flag bearers from Maganjo said.

He said if the NUP leadership does not reconsider their position and respect the people's voice, they will be forced to return their NUP cards.

Kidandala noted that he is only following the will of the people.

"Our the principle in NUP and People Power is the will of people. If people want me to stand, I will stand. This is the voice of the people and it is what we have been pushing for. I am not defying the party decision but following the people's will," he added.

Ssegirinya responds  

In his response, Ssegirinya said he is ready to face off with the two aspirants Kidandala and Ssebaggala.

"I am well-grounded within the people. I know the problems of my people because I am always with them. Let them go and find out," he noted.

He stressed that NUP gave him the card because of his competence and what he has done as a councilor.

"I am very happy Kidandala is running as an independent. We shall see who is stronger and who is weaker on the ground when people decide. For Ssebaggala, I hope he does not pull out of the race this time as he has been doing before. Otherwise, if he does I will sue him this time around," he added.