WAKISO . In Wakiso District , several candidates vying for mayoral seats in the municipalities of Nansana, Kira ,Makindye Sabagabo and Entebbe have been nominated .
Those contesting for Mayor of Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality are four and two of which are NUP leaning independent candidates. These are Mr Abbas Kayongo and Mr Cedric Kawuma.
Mr Kayongo explained that after assessing his chances, he believed the NUP vetting process would not favour him, prompting him to run independently. He remains confident that his strong grassroots support will help him secure victory.
“I’m a health worker at Zanta Health Centre IV alongside being a Village Health Team (VHT) in my area which has given me a chance to interact and identify people’s challenges which I want to address as a mayor,” he said.
Mr Kawuma, on the other hand,said after being denied a NUP card which he had worked for, he chose to take the independent path after being assured of victory by his supporters .
“For the presidential seat, lets vote Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, but at the local level, we need capable leaders who have been tested for so long. I was born and raised in Makindye Ssabagabo and I have been able to identify all mistakes of past leaders which I want to address,” he said.
Among other candidates nominated is Mr Yusuf Zziwa Bugagga, the NUP flag bearer for Mayor Makindye Ssabagabo. He says the party found him worthy to carry its flag the position, appealing to the voters to trust him as their mayor.
His key priorities include ensuring proper waste management, noting that the current leadership has not done enough. “We are planning to procure garbage trucks and educating residents about proper waste management because we are badly off and our people stand at a risk of contracting diseases because of rubbish.”he said
Mr Johnbosco Galabuzi Sserunkuuma, the NRM flag bearer for the same position , is going to focus on ensuring government programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.
“Our youth are unemployed, why don’t we see how we can skill them to become job creators. That is the Uganda we need, not politics of interest.”he said
Elly Nicholas Bakojja, a 24-year-old third year student of Oil and Gas, was also among the candidates nominated. He is vying for the position of Mayor for Kira Municipality on the DP ticket.
Bakojja says, despite building his political career, he wants to address the challenge of exorbitant taxes in the municipality, which he said are not helping taxpayers. He also wants to tackle unemployment among youth who constitute the bulky population of Uganda.
Mr Tolbert Musinguzi, Wakiso District Electoral Commission Returning Officer, has urged nominated candidates to use the remaining period for preparations on how they are going to canvass for votes .
“Let them start organizing their campaign schedules so that they move without clashing.” He said