KAMPALA. Uganda’s oldest political party ,Democratic Party (DP) has fronted Beatrice Mao, wife to party President and Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao to challenge the incumbent Erias Lukwago as Kampala Lord Mayor in next year’s General Elections
Ms Mao’s entry follows the withdrawal of Kassim Kamoga, who had been the former sole challenger in the party’s internal race.
Kamoga stepped down and endorsed Ms Mao, effectively clearing the path for her unopposed nomination.
According to DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda the decision was reached through internal consensus, describing Ms Mao’s endorsement as a “unifying step” for the party’s ambitions in the city. In 2021 General Election ,Ms Mao who was by that time called Beatrice Nambi attempted to run for the Kampala Lord Mayor position, but was subsequently disqualified by the Electoral Commission due to voter registration issues.
With DP endorsing Ms Mao, the race for Lord Mayor now has five contenders including incumbent Lukwago , National Unity Platform Eng . Ronald Balimwezo , Moses Kizito Nsubuga of National Resistance Movement and Ibrahim Kasozi of Forum for Democratic Change .
Kampala City , has for the last two decades remained an opposition stronghold and majority of leaders at all levels usually come from opposition parties DP, FDC and NUP.