Five women tussle it out for Mbarara Woman MP slot

Five women are fighting to represent Mbarara city in the 11th Parliament. Bonnie Mutungi Kashaija Kiconco, the NRM flag-bearer for Mbarara city, is waving the flag against strong tides from human rights advocate and policy analyst Atukwasa Rita Bwahika, her main challenger in the NRM party primaries. Bwahika bounced back in the race as an independent candidate.

In the primaries, Bwahika polled over 6,102 votes and was first declared winner by Sebuma Kawesa, the NRM registrar for Mbarara city and, later, her victory was nullified by the NRM tribunal.

The tribunal declared Kiconco as the official NRM flag-bearer Kiconco faces other challengers — Donah Kyomugisha (independent), Agatha Atusasire (Forum for Democratic Change) and Irene Kajumba (NUP). Kiconco and Bwahika are also bickering over who should use the colour yellow and the symbol of the bus.

Kiconco said she is the official nominated NRM flag-bearer with the party symbol and is the one who is allowed to use the party colour, but Bwahika has continued using it. Kiconco, whose father, the late Emmanuel Kashaija, was a staunch Democratic Party member and brother Nickson Kashaija, a member of FDC, belongs to the NRM. She said she wants to work with the people of Mbarara city to improve the well-being of the people, especially health and education.

Bwahika said her focus is on poverty alleviation in households, promoting human rights, tourism in Mbarara city and initiating ways of income generation in homes. Atusasire, a counsellor, said she would like to contribute towards the fight against injustice, be a voice to the under-privileged and promote equal opportunities.

She said the school dropout rates, especially of the girls, had increased over the years and that the student-to teacher ratio is alarmingly high. She noted: "The teachers' remuneration is so low and demoralising, causing absenteeism and minimal care to learners. Unregulated fees in some schools is high for an averagely-earning Ugandan.

Our children deserve better and decent education." She said she will focus on building a better future for Uganda, standing up against bad governance, corruption and injustice. She said she will concentrate more critically on the needs of the youth and women. Kyomugisha represents the people of Kakoba division at Mbarara District Council. She believes that many projects, especially for the youth and women, are static because many leaders have not given priority to them, something she wants to change.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

MBABAZI EVE: Few women are benefiting from the Women Entrepreneurship Programme because the funds are not enough, so we need a woman MP who understands our needs and one who will lobby for more so that every woman can benefit. We also need modern markets in every division across the city.

ARAFAT KASIMU: We need agriculture banks or SACCOS where our women can go and get loans at affordable profits. Rights of our daughters and women are violated against, so we need a woman who will fight for us.

SAFINA MILLERS: Poverty is too high, especially among the women. We need SACCOS to support our business and equip our health centres well. We no longer want to see a woman dying while giving birth in Mbarara city