1000 interested in NUP ticket for local government
Some of the aspirants waiting to be called for Vetting at Hotel Networth, Wobulenzi town council.
LUWERO – A total of 1,037 aspirants turned up at the Elections Management Committee of the National Unity Platform for vetting to contest in various local government positions in the Greater Luwero district.
On Tuesday, the Elections Management Committee for the National Unity Platform party camped at Hotel Networth in Wobulenzi town council, Luwero district, for a vetting exercise of candidates aspiring to contest on the party ticket in the Local government seats.
According to party registrars, at least 1,037 party members expressed interest in contesting for the various positions across the region. Luwero registered the highest number of aspirants with 590, followed by Nakaseke with 345 candidates, and Nakasongola with 102 aspirants.
The aspirants were hopeful to win the tickets, saying the exercise was fair and transparent.
Denison Ssekiziyivu, the aspirant for Nakasongola town council LCIII Chairperson, said that during the vetting exercise, he was asked about his plans to win the seat and the core values of the party, which he ably answered.
Isaac Gita Kasirye, the aspirant for Kito sub-county LCIII Chairperson, narrated that during the vetting exercise, he was asked to define leadership, how to manage the office and service delivery, which he answered.
Fred Lubinga, the incumbent LCIII Chairperson for Katuugo town council, said he was asked to list his contributions to the party and the community, as well as his strategies to retain the seat if they grant him the ticket again.
Lubinga said that he was hopeful to retain the seat, and within the NUP party, had no challenger.
Other aspirants were asked the names of the party leaders in the districts and representatives at the National Executive Committee, as well as their competencies, among other issues.
Johnmary Sebuufu, a member of the Elections Management Committee, said that the turnout was impressive, but they will do more to ensure that they select the best candidates from the aspirants to challenge the NRM flagbearers and attract even others in areas where there are no aspirants.
Harriet Chemutai, the Chairperson of the Elections Management Committee, dismissed reports that certain incumbent leaders had already selected the preferred candidates, saying they had no power to influence the vetting process.
Chemutai said that the committee will only rely on the performance of the aspirant during the vetting exercise and report on the popularity of the candidate on the ground.
The aspirants were warned against contesting as independents if they were not selected as flagbearers. The party also warned that those who defied the party rules and contested in the 2021 general elections as independents won’t be selected as flagbearers this year unless they have already written an apology and it was accepted by the party’s top organ.
During the sitting, EMC also received a petition from Jafari Mpagi and Samuel Serunjogi seeking the disqualification of incumbent LCIII Chairperson of Wobulenzi, Moses Sebalamu, from the race, saying that he was recently found guilty of incitement to violence contrary to section 79 (1) of the Penal Code and convicted by Luwero Chief Magistrate Esther Adikin.
Sebalamu defended himself, saying that the case and the petition brought to EMC were all politically motivated and asked the committee members to disregard them.
In 2021, the National Unity Platform Party won eight LC III Chairperson seats and scores of councillors in Luwero district. The party also made inroads in Nakaseke and Nakasongola, which were areas held for decades by the National Resistance Movement.
It remains to be seen whether the NUP will retain the seat and capture others to strengthen its grip in an area where the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party has enjoyed enormous support over the years.
