Disagreements intensify as NUP aspirants pick party flag bearer

Left to right: Fatuma Nakanwagi, Rajab Ssenkubuge and Maureen Nabukeera. PHOTO/FRED MUZAAALE

What you need to know:

  • With many of the 23 party flag aspirants disputing the results, bickering threatens to tear apart- the party leadership in Kayunga.

Disagreements rocked the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) on Saturday after some aspirants seeking the party flag for the forthcoming Kayunga District chairperson by-election protested the election of Mr Rajab Ssenkubuge as flag bearer.

The Kapala City businessman and lawyer, Mr Ssenkubuge, 40, was on September 25 elected by fellow aspirants during polls held in Ntooke Village, Kayunga Town council.

He garnered seven votes while his closest rival, Ms Fatuma Nakanwagi (late Ffeffeka Sserubogo’s younger sister) got three votes, both Ms Harriet Nakawedde and Ms Maureen Nabukeera got two votes.

The election was presided by Ms Sarah Muwonge, the Personal Secretary to the NUP president on orders of party secretary General, Mr Lewis Rubongoya.

After the elections, Mr Michael Kyakulaga who got 1 vote protested the outcome saying ‘‘some aspirants had joined the race to vote one particular candidate.’’

“I am still in the race because I lost unfairly,” an outraged Mr Kyakulaga said.

Another contestant, Ms Nabukeera also complained that ‘‘the election was not intended to pick a flag bearer but to get the best four aspirants.’’

Surprisingly, the hitherto Kayunga District ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Secretary General, Mr Joseph Ouma was among the 23 aspirants vying for the NUP ticket.

He contested for the seat as an independent candidate in the last election.

With many of the 23 party flag aspirants disputing the results, bickering threatens to tear apart- the party leadership in Kayunga but Mr Paul Musoke who was one of the hopefuls has asked ‘‘the losers to concede defeat and push the party agenda.’’

Ms Muwonge declined to talk to the media after she announced the results.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrew Muwonge who was the NRM party flag bearer in the 2021 election but lost to NUP’s late Mohammed Sserubogo Fffeffekka has also declared interest to contest again.

Background

The district chairperson seat fell vacant after Mr Sserubogo, died under mysterious circumstances with his body found hanging on a tree by a rope in June.

Electoral Commission (EC) spokesperson, Mr Paul Bukenya recently said: “We were notified about the death of the district chairperson and we are going to issue a programme for the by-election.”