By Our Reporters
In his speech at Buyoga playground (Kibinge Sub County), where he was chief guest as Minister Nakiwala Kiyingi held her thanksgiving ceremony last year, President Museveni predicted total political transformation of Bukomansimbi district political terrain from DP/Green to Yellow by 2021. He jokingly urged Bukomansimbi South MP (DP strongman) Deo Kiyingi to follow his wife in NRM before it gets too late for him to defect. He advised coming too late would deprive his defection of any meaning because in his estimation, Nakiwala was simply unstoppable in her efforts to wipe out DP. Today barely a year later, it’s evident the Nakiwala mission is getting accomplished. In wiping out DP, Nakiwala (who recently reconciled with Mukasa Mbidde) is marketing NRM and also preparing for her grand entry into the 11th Parliament as district woman MP.
THE DETAILS
Incumbent woman MP is DP’s Veronica Nanyondo who replaced her sister Susan Namaganda who died in car accident. She has served since 2015 and her financial brokenness has made even DP diehards write her off as too mean. Yet in actual sense she is broke with barely any money. Even at big church functions, her contribution (always hidden in sealed envelopes) never exceeds Shs20,000. In contrast, Nakiwala who has deeper church connections injects between Shs500,000 to Shs1m. That happens whether she attends personally or sends representatives. Supporters have rejected brokenness insisting Nanyondo (elected on assumption she would be generous like Susan) is just stingy. This has alienated her and only a few DP leaders still back her as majority openly profess Nakiwala while daring DP headquarters to expel them. In past elections, NRM had Halima Nakawungu losing to the Namaganda sisters and they now see Nakiwala as dangerous substitute to wipe out DP. Naturally, the NRM camp is unanimous she will be their candidate. They see her as a vibrant personality with capability to counter DP offensive in the entire greater Masaka. There are even rumors that Museveni, who has always shopped for a vibrant female catholic to replace Sekandi, might make her the VP on becoming MP in 2021. She has similar credentials with Sekandi: catholic and well-connected Muganda from Greater Masaka.
Nanyondo can’t even count on her home turf of Kibinge Sub County because voters are bitter she isn’t as generous as Namaganda. There are also questions about the paternity of the child Nanyondo birthed recently. Conservative Catholics feel it’s their right to know the man seeing their MP. Some say even her modest education (joined House with A’level equivalent) is total turn off. In fact, it’s in Kibinge where Nakiwala has attracted highest defections though some complain she rarely takes phone calls. Her outspokenness and visibility on Kampala media platforms is another plus exciting Bukomansimbi behind Nakiwala. She sponsors all young boys to train to become mechanics in garages in Bukomansimbi and Masaka, a tool she has used to neutralize would-be people power political base there. Mzee Sekibala, the DP Bukomansimbi Chairman, too is uncomfortable openly associating with Nanyondo though he hasn’t embraced Nakiwala as yet either. He faces voter pressure demanding for another candidate from DP. Some are unhappy Nanyondo hasn’t kept the Mbidde alliance yet he is the one who funded her. It’s said the expectation that she would use the Parliament cash to look after Namaganda orphans hasn’t been adequately met.
Faced with growing pro-Nakiwala defiance, Sekibala in DP is now seen as a tree without branches. DP Bukomansimbi publicist Nandawula Nambooze (also Kasebwera/Butenga councilor), who led Nanyondo campaigns, is now leading that of Nakiwala. She is vocal and her defection has greatly demoralized the DP camp. Voters both NRM and opposition now refer to Nakiwala as heavyweight and her only problem is not taking their calls. Nakiwala is also leveraging on the great things her hubby Deo Kiyingi (who isn’t very hostile to NRM) has done for Bukomansimbi South voters including buying ambulances and delivering power projects through REA. She also enjoys support of Bukomansimbi North MP Ruth Katushabe (NRM) who doesn’t face much challenge from DP in 2021. LC5 Chairman Mohammed Kateregga (JEEMA), who wants Katushabe’s Seat, has more than enough political problems and fears confrontation with Nakiwala. PP’s Hamid Seremba too fears antagonizing Nakiwala who lately has been lobbying Mzee Sekibala to quit DP and back her against Nanyondo. Ben Kiwanuka’s son Maurice Kagimu Kiwanuka too is acquiescing to Nakiwala win. He has too much love for NRM and her defection excited him most.
WHO IS WHERE?
Bukomansimbi has 5 Sub Counties (Kibinge, Butenga, Bigasa, Kitanda, & Bukomansimbi TC) all of which Nakiwala has penetrated alienating DP. Bukando is coming soon. Kitanda’s key vote winners are Issa Ssansa, Charles Sebugwawo, Harriet Nakalema, Shaffik Mwanje and DP’s Kali Kakyangamya. Only Kali is for Nanyondo; the rest are marketing Nakiwala. Our research shows Bigasa has LC3 Chairman Ssalongo Kakooza, vice chairman Sekyanzi, DP’s councilor JB Kasenge, Munyarwanda Shiffa Babirye and (DP leader) Ssalongo Muyanja. They are all backing Nakiwala openly except Muyanja. Butenga Sub County’s vote winners are LC3 Chairman Magezi and Kawoko Musunda and all back Nakiwala. In Butenga only Mzee Sekibala is still vague and she is speaking to him. Kibinge, which is a DP stronghold, too has been cracked. All vote winners (except Mzee Nkwanjula) are all openly professing Nakiwala making it a no go area for Nanyondo. Financially struggling Nanyondo would have fallen back on Mbidde but they don’t talk anymore. For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755.
