There has been drama at Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headquarters in Najjanankumbi as the Party rejected the nomination papers of Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala who wants to stand for Kampala Lord Mayorship in the forthcoming elections.
The incident happened on Wednesday when Nabilah returned her nomination papers to Uganda’s main opposition party headquarters. To her dismay, the legislator was told that time to return papers elapsed on Tuesday and that it was now impossible for her to stand on FDC party ticket.
The FDC Electoral Commission head Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda advised Nabilah that if she wants to stand for Kampala Lord Mayorship, she should stand as an independent candidate or join another political party.
Recently, Nabilah hopted to dare Erias Lukwago (FDC ally) for the Kampala Lord mayoral race in 2021 after reliably establishing that surmounting Dr Stella Nyanzi’s challenge in 2021 will be a full mountain of obstacle.
Dr Nyanzi’s smart political exploits of late have been sending the Kampala legislator cold chills ever since the former was released from Luzira months ago.
Mugisha Muntu’s loyal girl had been surviving on the little hope that an endorsement by People power chief Robert Kyagulanyi would give her a political lifeline in Kampala but the amicable well calculated relationship Nyanzi has cultivated with the popular man from Magere potentially rendered Nabilah unusable in the best interests of the wider struggle.
Days after her release from Luzira State prison where she had been incarcerated for over 18 months, Nyanzi who had gone to attend the burial of fallen People power activist Ritah Nabukenya, loudly expressed her support for Kyagulanyi’s people power while also clarifying that FDC is her political party of choice. This meant that the ideological contests among the supporters of the two political factions – FDC and PP would have no impact on the former Luzira inmate’s chances heading to 2021.
Besides Kyagulanyi, other legendary political king makers of the land have already anointed Nyanzi as the chosen one to replace Nabilah, who many seem to conclude has outlived her political usefulness. One such a name is former Presidential aspirant Alhaji Nasser Ntege Ssebagala who just over a week ago laid his politically blessed hands on the twin mother, wishing her well in her political endeavors.
On her return from Luzira, FDC strongman Col Kizza Besigye put a crown on Nyanzi’s head symbolising his good will towards her politically.
In March, the FDC Deputy Secretary General, Harold Kaija posted on his Facebook page, informing the country how the party had asked the legendary Museveni critic to represent it in Kampala in the forthcoming elections.
A few days ago,Nyanzi picked nomination forms, expressing interest to stand for the Kampala Woman MP seat on the FDC seat.
Dr Nyanzi said her nomination was proposed by FDC Vice Chairperson for central region Owekitiibwa Joyce Sebugwawo and seconded by Buwembo Habib and Fred Bugoba
“Today, I collected my “Expression of Interest” and “Nomination for Party Primaries” forms from the party headquarters of FDC. I also renewed my party membership for 2020. I am extremely grateful to my proposer the Vice Chairperson of FDC – Owekitiibwa Joyce Sebugwawo, and my seconders who include Buwembo Habib and Fred Bugoba,” the controversial activist said.
“My aspirations for the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament seat are now firm. I am preparing hard for the party primaries. My focus is going to be on representing the minorities in Kampala. Many MPs, when they reach parliament, they forget the issues of every day man and woman. They forget issue of unemployed youth who form majority of our voters and issues of labour among others,” Dr Nyanzi added.
All the above factors sent unparalleled fears to the incumbent Nabilah, who chose to find a soft spot hence concluding that the Lord Mayor would certainly be a more realistic opponent than Stella Nyanzi.
Nabilah allegedly finds that her long time representation for Kampala for a record 3 terms is long enough making the voters view her with monotony. As such she seems to have made up her mind to face the same voters but this time under a different brand.
Being the first and most likely the only female aspirant for the Mayorship would set her a part in the race that has and is expected to be dominated by male contestants. Nabilah hopes to monopolise the support of the women in Kampala whom she believes constitute a considerable section of the city population. If only she can have the right strategies to consolidate them for her support, she sees no way Lukwago will take the day come 2021.
Nabilah also allegedly feels that Nyanzi’s unanimous endorsement from the party she has subscribed to for over 15 years will earn her a sympathy vote from voters who will most likely vote for her since her Constituency was given away by the party executives at Najjanankumbi.
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