A Ugandan performing artiste who was denied a National Unity Platform (NUP) party ticket to contest in the Rubaga South polls in 2021 was yesterday unveiled as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate in the Kawempe North By-election.
Sadat Mukiibi popularly known as Khalifah Aganaga was unveiled as the FDC flag bearer in the polls that are aimed at replacing the deceased Muhammad Ssegirinya who died last month after two years of illness.
“We have spoken to our brother Aganaga, and we have learned that beneath those deadlocks, there is a competent leader, a great human,” FDC party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi told reporters at the party headquarters yesterday.
He added that he once considered growing dreadlocks in his youth, drawing laughter from the audience.
Speaking at the presser, the Ndabilawa hit maker asked Kawempe North electorates to vote him on March 13 as his birthday gift.
“I was an orphan in politics but FDC has rescued me, I don’t hold any party card and this is the first one in my life,” he said.
Aganaga was in 2020 forced to return the NUP party membership card after the former picked Abubakar Kawalya as its flag bearer in the Rub aga South polls which he had wanted.
He posted on his official social media pages that, “Card oba egaanye Music teyetaaga Card lets roll I don’t need a CARD but I need CASHBest headphones deals Abaana bange basome, kati nokola bingasa Atanjagala Nange Sikwagala! Atampagira Simuwagira! Atanoonya Simunoonya! #TeamMayanja.”
His renouncing back yesterday implies that he has joined the race which is already congested with about people wishing to take it.
In the NUP party alone, 10 candidates including; Umar Magala, Mulumba Matthias, then Nsereko Motes, Kakilka Fredrick, Dr. Charles Rubagumya, Eng. Ssankungu Kenneth, Counsel Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, Sserunkuuma Salim, Muhammad Luwemba, and Kulya Saulo Zziwa, have expressed interest to be given the flag and contest.
The party Electoral Management Committee led by Ms Mercy Walukamba is set to vet the 10 candidates today and as well organize a public debate tomorrow where they will unveil their manifestos to the electorates.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on January 29 unveiled Ms Faridah Nambi who contested in the Kampala Woman MP race in 2021 as its official Kawempe North By-Election candidate. Another candidate Hanifah Karadi has however vowed to stand as independent.
Speaking at yesterday’s presser, Robert Centenary, the party’s deputy president for Western Uganda, defended the choice, of Aganaga.
“The few hours I spent with Mukiibi Sadat impressed me—his conduct, his academic credentials. Sometimes we judge people at face value. I believe he is an inspiration to young people,” he said.
FDC also confirmed Sharif Ssebunya as its candidate for the vacant Kazo-Angola Ward councillor seat.
