Watongola's daughter fights for her mother's shoes

2021 ELECTIONS |

Baroda Kayanga, 27, the daughter of former Kamuli Municipality Member of Parliament Rehema Watongola, has been nominated to replace her mother in the race for Kamuli Municipality MP.  Watongola, who was a candidate in the race, died earlier this month.

Kayanga was nominated by the district registrar, Kenneth Kayabwe, at the Electoral Commission offices on Tuesday morning.

After the nominations, her supporters ushered her to the streets of Kamuli in an open-roof car, amid deafening cheers and loud music.

The crowd and convoy brought business to a standstill, forcing the Police to block part of the motorcade from accessing the town centre.

Kayanga, who the family unanimously selected to replace her mother, is to face the three rivals — the National Resistance Movement's Mastula Namatovu, Moses Bigirwa (National Unity Platform), and Geoffery Mugoya (Independent).


Kayanga said she was ready to take over the mantle and also ready to face the challengers in the bid to retain her mother's seat.

Haji Badru Watongola, her father, said Kayanga was selected because she has her mother's character, ranging from resemblance, being approachable, generous, and down to earth.

"She will make it, having been with her mother during the campaigns, and is aware of the vote-hunting dynamics. As a family, we shall support her bid to victory," he said.

Kayanga told the voters that she would also follow up on the pledges her mother made with the hope of fulfiling them.