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Kawempe North by-election: Ssegirinya’s widow joins race
Ms Twahirah Akandinda Ssegirinya, a 30-year-old widow of the late Muhammad Ssegirinya. Photo | Courtesy
What you need to know:
- Ms Akandinda, who will run as an independent candidate, expressed her confidence in her ability to represent Kawempe, citing her passion for improved healthcare, community socio-economic transformation projects, and youth empowerment.
Ms Twahirah Akandinda Ssegirinya, a 30-year-old widow of the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, has announced her intention to contest for the Kawempe MP North seat in the upcoming March 13 by-election. The seat fell vacant following the death of Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9.
Ms Akandinda, who will run as an independent candidate, expressed her confidence in her ability to represent Kawempe, citing her passion for improved healthcare, community socio-economic transformation projects, and youth empowerment.
"I am the perfect choice for Kawempe," she said.
Despite Ssegirinya's mother, Ms Justine Ssanyu, endorsing Muhammad Lusswa Luwemba, the late Ssegirinya's personal assistant, Akandinda believes that the decision was not supported by many and was motivated by selfish gains.
Akandinda plans to leverage her connections with Ugandans in diaspora, particularly in countries like the Netherlands and the United States, to maintain the projects initiated by her late husband and introduce new ones, such as mobile clinics and technical institutions in various parishes of Kawempe.
“I am still in connection with the international community, who could support us, in countries like Netherlands, United States of America (USA), to maintain all the projects the late Ssegirinya left. I will also introduce the new projects for example mobile clinic, technical Institutions in many parishes of Kawempe,” she recounted.
Who is Akandinda
A resident of Mpererwe, Akandinda holds a certificate in teaching grade three from Bwera Primary Teachers College and has taught at various schools, including Uganda Martyrs P/S-Mpererwe and Dream Africa Schools Gayaza branch. She has since transitioned to a career in business.
Other parties weigh in
Meanwhile, about thirteen days remaining for the official nominations for all aspiring candidates by Electoral Commission (EC) that is slated to start on February 26 and 27, three candidates from Democratic Party (DP) have also expressed interest for the MP seat, including, Ms Shakirah Najjukka, John-Bosco Mayinja, and Claudius Katamba.
The electoral coordinator for DP, Mr Kennedy Mutenyo says the party will announce their suitable candidate to also embark on looking for support from the constituents to join the already confirmed candidates like, National Unity Platform Erias Nalukoola, National Resistance Movement Faridah Nambi, Forum for Democratic Change Sadat Mukiibi, Peoples progressive party's Ismail, and independent learning, Twahirah Akandinda Ssegirinya, Hanifah Karadi, Mohamood Mutazindwa, and Fahad Kayondo.
