By Edward Stanley Maitum, son of former Ugandan President Milton Obote, made a surprise entry into the Kawempe North by-election race yesterday, joining the contest at the last minute. His nomination brought the total number of candidates to 10 as the two-day nomination exercise concluded.
Mr. Maitum was not initially listed among the aspirants set for nomination by the Electoral Commission. However, in a last-minute move, he appeared before the electoral body and was successfully nominated as an Independent candidate. His inclusion means that voters in Kawempe North will now choose from a pool of 10 candidates on March 13 to elect a new representative following the passing of the late Muhammad Ssegirinya last month after a prolonged illness.
“My experience in God’s ministry makes me the ideal candidate to unite the people of Kawempe North for prosperity, regardless of political affiliations or gender,” Mr. Maitum said. He further pledged to leverage his local and international networks to drive socio-economic transformation for the benefit of his constituents.
Full List of Nominated Candidates
By the close of the nomination exercise, the following candidates had been cleared by the Electoral Commission:
- Faridah Nambi (National Resistance Movement – NRM)
- Ismail Musiitwa (People’s Progressive Party – PPP)
- Henry Kassacca Mubiru (Democratic Party – DP)
- Moses Nsereko (Independent)
- Muhamood Mutazindwa (Independent)
- Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi (National Unity Platform – NUP)
- Sadat Mukiibi (Aganaga) (Forum for Democratic Change – FDC)
- Hanifah Karadi (Independent)
- Muhammed Lusswa Luwemba (Independent)
- Edward Stanley Maitum (Independent)
Contrasting Security Responses During Nominations
The second day of nominations proceeded in a relatively calm manner, in stark contrast to the chaos witnessed on the first day. On Wednesday, security forces brutally intercepted NUP candidate Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as he attempted to lead a procession to Mbogo Mosque, where he was scheduled to address his supporters. The crackdown included beatings and warning shots fired into the air to disperse crowds.
However, on the final day of nominations, NRM candidate Faridah Nambi led a large procession, riding on a grader and causing a traffic standstill on Gayaza Road as she headed to meet her supporters at Mbogo Mosque—the same venue Mr. Nalukoola had booked earlier. Unlike the previous day’s crackdown, security forces instead escorted Nambi’s supporters to the venue without incident.
Call for Orderly Campaigns
As the campaigns officially begin, Kampala District Polling Assistant Henry Makabayi urged both security forces and candidates to coordinate their campaign schedules to prevent clashes.
“I urge security forces to avoid excessive force, as it could lead to unnecessary bloodshed. Likewise, candidates should refrain from provocation. If the law is followed, campaigns will proceed peacefully,” he stated.
The nominated candidates are expected to meet with Electoral Commission officials to harmonize their campaign programs ahead of polling day, which is scheduled to take place in approximately two weeks.
