Opposition coalition, NRM party flex muscles for Hoima MP seat

In the race. Harriet Businge Mugenyi, NRM candidate (L) and Asinasi Kamanda Nyakato, FDC candidate (R)

What you need to know:

Background. The seat fell vacant after Ms Tophace Kaahwa Byagira (NRM) chose to represent the newly created Kikuube District that was carved out of Hoima in July 2018.

In a rare show of solidarity, a combined team of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and People Power movement are rallying behind an FDC candidate in the Hoima Woman MP by-election.
The election is due on September 26, with FDC’s Asinasi Kamanda Nyakato facing off with NRM’s Harriet Businge Mugenyi.
The MP seat fell vacant after Ms Tophace Kaahwa Byagira (NRM) chose to represent the newly created Kikuube District that was carved out of Hoima in July 2018.
Last Thursday, Ms Nyakato and Ms Mugenyi were nominated by the Hoima District Returning Officer, Mr Douglas Matsiko.
Ms Nyakato was accompanied by Opposition supporters donning red attire while Ms Businge was flanked by the NRM supporters, all in red.
The exercise was followed by campaigns on Monday where People Power’s Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, and FDC’s Kizza Besigye drummed up support for Ms Nyakato.

Opposition appeal
Ms Nyakato, in her maiden speech, hailed the Opposition for their solidarity.
“I thank our colleagues from other political parties for coming out to support me as I campaign to cause change,” she said.
Ms Mugenyi vowed to be the voice of Bunyoro in Parliament by presenting the issues affecting the people such as poor health, education and poor road network.
“I pledge to be the voice of the people of Hoima District without discrimination. We have many issues as Hoima, which we should holistically handle. I will work hand in hand with my fellow leaders to ensure service delivery to our people in Bunyoro,” she said.
Mr Barnabas Tinkasimiire, the People Power regional coordinator and Mr Jackson Wabyona, the ANT western region coordinator, have thrown their weight behind Ms Nyakato, selling her as the right candidate to advance Bunyoro issues in Parliament.
Whereas Hoima District is considered an NRM stronghold, analysts say the Opposition coalition with leaders such as Bobi Wine could tilt the Woman MP seat in Ms Nyakato’s favour.
She has adopted a door-to-door campaign method where she is supported by the ANT founder, Gen Mugisha Muntu.
Analysts also believe that the creation of Kikuube District could have cut off some NRM support from Hoima.

Defiant NRM
However, the NRM vice chairperson for Hoima District, Mr Samuel Muganzi, said NRM support in the area is formidable.
“NRM has visible achievements such as oil roads and the oil refinery. We are firm and confident of destroying the lies being fronted by the Opposition. Our support as NRM is strong despite the creation of Kikuube, which is also a stronghold of NRM. Our candidate has enough support,” Mr Muganzi said in an interview.
The chairperson of Ms Mugenyi’s campaign taskforce, Mr Amurani Tumusiime, said NRM party is not intimidated by the Opposition coalition.
“NRM has demonstrated over a period of time what they can do and what they are going to do. We have our manifesto, which we are implementing, and our candidate will take the show. The so-called joint Opposition will taste what it means to lose in Hoima by-election,” he said.
Mr Tumusiime added that President Museveni as the NRM national chairperson is also expected in the district on September 24 to rally support for the party flag bearer. He will campaign in Kitoba, Kigorobya and Hoima Municipality.
Mr Wabyona said ANT decided to rally behind Ms Nyakato because she represents the issues, which affect the people of Bunyoro.
“Bunyoro has no university and yet other regions have been supported to have universities. We have been grappling with land issues and Bunyoro is almost a battle ground for such conflicts. Our forests such as Bugoma are being taken away as NRM is watching. People grew tobacco and companies failed to pay them and the government has done nothing to help them,” he said.
The police and UPDF soldiers have continued to maintain a heavy presence since the campaigns kicked off on Monday.
The heavy deployment started last Wednesday on most streets including Main Street, Fort Portal Road and Government Road when the candidates were nominated and started to campaign.

ABOUT BUSINGE
Background. Ms Businge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She is the proprietor of Good Samaritan Community School in Hoima Town, which offers bursaries to needy children.
She served as education minister in Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom for about 10 years and initiated a project to kick start the Bunyoro Kitara Royal University. Ms Businge also chaired the Kabalega Education Fund that was founded by the Omukama of Bunyoro to offer education opportunities to his needy students. She retired from kingdom service in 2015 to join active politics.
Ms Businge also stood for the Hoima Woman MP seat in 2016 and lost to Ms Tophas Kaahwa Byagira. In 2018, she was appointed RDC Sembabule. She, however, declined the offer, saying she wanted to try her luck in parliamentary politics.

ABOUT NYAKATO
Background. Ms Nyakato is a princess of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Ms Nyakato contested for the Hoima Woman MP seat in 2011 but lost to Ms Tophas Kaahwa Byagira. From August 2011 up to 2016, she worked with Parliament as a policy analyst.
In 2016, she returned to Hoima to advocate the rights of communities affected by oil and gas developments in the Albertine Grabben. She has led various groups to present their petitions to Parliament, protesting alleged irregularities in land compensations and displacement.
Ms Nyakato is a member of the FDC National Executive where she serves as secretary for health services.
She is also the FDC general secretary for Hoima Municipality. Ms Nyakato previously served as secretary for environment in the FDC youth league.