Siblings nominated before late father's requiem mass

Two sibling politicians, Bonnie Kiconco Kashaija Mutungi, the NRM party flag-bearer for Mbarara Woman MP seat and her elder brother, Nicodemus Kashaija Rutahaaba, the FDC party flagbearer for Mbarara South MP seat, were nominated Thursday, the day they held a requiem service for their father.

The two first put aside mourning for their father, Emmanuel Kashaija and walked to the Mbarara Electoral Commission offices, which are adjacent to their home, to be nominated.

Rutahaaba was the first to be nominated (9:20 am) by the Mbarara returning officer, Latif Ngobi, while Mutungi was nominated at 9:42 am in Boma cell.

After their nomination, they were welcomed by their waiting supporters outside the Electoral Commission offices before heading to the requiem Mass at the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Church in Mbarara City.

Kashaija, the former Ankole region Democratic Party (DP) chairperson and businessman based in Mbarara City, passed on last Sunday and was laid to rest on Friday at his country home in Nyakahanga, Bugashe, in Mbarara South.

They praised their father who cherished unity, peace and good governance for nurturing them into leaders who did not necessarily have to support his own party.

"The death of our father in the period leading up to our nominations is the biggest slap in our life. However, we are stepping into his shoes so as to deliver services to the people of Mbarara City. God will guide us to fulfill and live by what our father cherished during his life and political career," Rutahaaba said.

Dr Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, the NRM party national entrepreneurs league chairperson, who is also Morocco's honorary consul to Uganda and NRM flag-bearer, was nominated to contest for Mbarara North MP seat.

He promised to change the area into a model constituency with industries, promote local tourism and make sure a market, roads, electricity and safe water are in place.

Ritah Atukwasa Bwahika was nominated as an independent candidate for Mbarara City Woman MP. Atukwasa, who lost to Mutungi, said she is an NRM-leaning candidate and decided to stand, saying her poll results during the NRM party elections were allegedly altered and was not given a fair hearing by the party election disputes tribunal.

Apollo Tumusiime Rutahaaba was nominated as an independent candidate contesting for Mbarara North MP seat.

Agaba Anthony, the LC1 chairperson for Kiyanja cell, in Kamukuzi was nominated to contest for Mbarara North MP seat on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, while Agatha Atusasire was also nominated to contest for Mbarara Woman MP seat on the FDC ticket.

Edwin Akoragye was nominated as an independent candidate for Mbarara North MP. Benon Kajubi Maisho, the secretary for finance at Mbarara city council, was nominated as an independent candidate for Mbarara City North MP.

Others who were nominated include Bright Muhumuza, the National Unity Platform flag-bearer for Mbarara South and happy Nasasira, an independent candidate for Mbarara North.

Emmanuel Mbarebaki, who arrived at the nominations centre with two horses and supporters was nominated as an independent candidate contesting for the Mbarara South parliamentary seat. Nambaale Muzafaru was nominated as an independent candidate for Mbarara South seat.

Ngobi said he will call the candidates for the harmonization of their programmes and warned them against holding rallies and playing loud music that may attract gatherings in contravention of the COVID-19 standard operating procedures.