By Aggrey Baba
As the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) kicked off its nomination exercise yesterday, Tuesday, the Kyadondo road headquarters became a parade ground for some of the most familiar names in Ugandan politics.
By mid-morning, some of the country’s most senior government officials were already arriving, one by one, to hand in their nomination papers.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was among the first to be cleared. She is seeking to retain her seat as Kakumiro District Woman MP, and was accompanied by close aides and supporters.
By her side were her two deputies, Rukia Nakadama (Mayuge Woman MP) and frail Gen. Moses Ali (Adjumani West MP), who also presented their nomination forms on the same day.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (Ruhinda County), and Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng (Lira Woman MP) all submitted their nominations on June 17, officially launching their bids to return to Parliament on the NRM ticket.
While many arrived in confident moods, a few seemed to be reflecting deeply on the weight of age and service. Gen Otafiire, a veteran of Uganda’s Politics, hinted that this could be his last time to stand.
“By the end of this term I’ll be 75, next term I’ll be 80, ” he said after handing in his papers. I’m not saying I’ll come back or not, but sometimes the body no longer obeys you,” Otafire said, shortly after nomination.
Meanwhile, a new generation was also stepping forward. Phionah Nyamutoro, currently serving as Minister of State for Energy and also the Youth MP, submitted her forms to contest for Nebbi District Woman MP, a decision which marked a symbolic shift from youth representation to full national leadership.
In addition to the political big names, a number of 2021 election losers turned up to try their luck again. Among them was Asha Nabulo, the former Woman MP for Sironko, who lost her seat to Florence Nambozo, now serving as Minister for Karamoja Affairs.
Ibrahim Kitatta, the current Lwengo LC5 chairperson, also came through, this time hoping to represent Bukoto West in Parliament.
According to the NRM Electoral Commission, 2,718 aspirants are expected to be nominated by the time the process ends on June 30. These include 1,579 candidates for MP seats, 586 women vying for District Woman MP, and 553 others eyeing positions such as LC5 chairperson, city mayor and lord mayor.
After the close of nominations, the party will allow room for complaints and verification from July 1 to 4, followed by internal campaigns running from July 1 to 14, while voting for flag bearers in parliamentary races is scheduled to take place on July 16.
