More independent candidates cleared to contest for LC positions

Reports from various districts across the country indicate that more independent candidates have been cleared to stand for various local council positions.

By last Friday evening, at least 1,750 candidates had been nominated to become councillors in the five divisions of Kampala.

Mr Fred Muwaya, the Kampala Electoral Commission returning officer, said the overwhelming number of independent candidates is a manifestation that Ugandans are exercising their political rights.

In Kiboga District, a total of 32 candidates for various positions have so far been nominated.

Two of the candidates, including Mr Constantino Ndawula (Ind) and Mr Henry Kagali (NUP), want to uproot the incumbent Suleiman Ssekiwunga (NRM).

In Nakaseke, Mr Ignatius Kiwanuka Koomu, the incumbent district chairperson,  is  facing tough competition from one contender; Mr William Musisi of NUP.

Hotly contested
In neighbouring Luweero District, four candidates: Mr Erasto Kibirango (NUP), Mr Othman Kamoga Jjuuko (NRM), Mr Daniel Sserubidde (Ind) and Mr Vincent Ssebayiga (Ind) have so far been cleared to vie for the district top seat currently occupied by Mr Ronald Ndawula. Mr Ndawula chose not to seek re-election for the district seat. He will instead stand for the Katikamu North parliamentary seat .
 
In Nakasongola, the incumbent district chairperson, Mr Sam Kigula, is the only candidate so far cleared to contest.
In Mubende, those nominated for the district chairperson  seat include Mr Michael Ntambi (NRM), and Mr Bazirondere Kyeyune, Mr Lauben Mutabaazi and Andrew Mukuye, all independents. 

The quartet is seeking to unseat Mr Francis Kibuuka Amooti who lost in the recent NRM primaries.
For the position of Mubende Municipal Mayoral seat, Mr Charles Kawuma (NUP), Mr Geoffrey Natiigo (Ind) and Mr Geoffrey Noowe (Ind) want to unseat the incumbent, Mr Innocent Sekiziyivu (NRM).

According to Kalungu EC returning officer Ann Namatovu, four people have picked nomination papers for the district top job, but only two have so far returned them.

These include Mr Mathias Kintu Musoke, the former Sembabule deputy Resident District Commissioner, who is standing as independent, against the incumbent, Mr Richard Kyabaggu (NRM).

Mr  Mark Mayanja, the Mukono returning officer, said  593 candidates have so far been nominated  for various positions in the district. For the district chairperson seat, only two candidates; Mr Haruna Ssemakula  (NRM) and  Mr Andrew Ssenyonga (Ind) have been cleared to contest.

Mr Tolbert Musinguzi, the Wakiso District returning officer, said at least 1,938 candidates have so far been nominated against the available 826 local council positions in the district.

“LC5 has 103 vacancies to fill and only 97 candidates have been duly nominated, including those who want to become district chairperson and district councillors,” he said.

At municipality level, 386 candidates have been nominated to contest for positions in the municipalities of Nansana, Kiira, Makindye/ Ssabagabo and Entebbe. More than 20 people, including Kadongokamu artiste Mathias Walukagga, have expressed interest to contest for Kyengera Town Council mayoral seat. 
The nomination exercise for aspirants for local council positions is expected to end on Thursday, according to EC.

EC PLANS
The nomination exercise for aspirants for local council positions is expected to end on Thursday, according to EC. By last Friday evening, at least 1,750 candidates had been nominated to become councillors in the five divisions of Kampala.

Compiled by Fred Muzaale, Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa , Jessica Sabano, Joseph Kiggundu, Dan Wandera  & Josephine Nnabbaale