Former Presidential contender Dr. Abed Bwanika has today called for a round table discussion amongst opposition forces to assess the possibility of fronting single candidates within the Kampala Metropolitan area.
He made these remarks while appearing on Central Broadcasting Corporation (CBS) talk show on Saturday October 3, 2020.
Speaking today, Bwanika, who is the National Unity Platform (NUP) Flag bearer for Kimaanya – Kabonera Constituency, observed that unless this is done, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is likely to have a field day.
Whereas the opposition has always boasted of its grip on Kampala Capital City, internal fights within NUP and mistrust within other Anti-Museveni forces might end up splitting their supposedly enormous block vote as per Bwanika’s observations.
“NUP might present 2 candidates, one who is official and the other one who claims to have the backing of the people. What does this mean? The official candidates will scoop some votes due to the brand but even the independent candidate has the vote of the people and the NRM will sail through easily,” Bwanika warned.
Much as NUP is doing its best to calm tensions within the Party, he intimated that the idea of a round table dialogue can only bear fruit if both parties bury the hatchet.
“This time round, things like I don’t talk to Lukwago, I don’t deal with Chameleone need to cease. We need to find a venue and sit together otherwise if we don’t deal with this hurriedly, we shall find ourselves being represented by people whose whereabouts we don’t know,” Bwanika warned.
“We have 9 days left, we can sleeplessly deal with this issue,” he added.
This is not the first time the opposition is trying to muscle up efforts against NRM candidates in Kampala.
During the 2011 Mayoral Polls, there was a sustained standoff over who, between Erias Lukwago and Micheal Mabikke, was more suited to hold the Inter Party Coalition flag.
In the end, Mabikke, the IPC candidate was defeated by Lukwago who for the last ten years has mastered the art of political coalitions.
It remains to be seen whether he will survive the bloated race that includes the likes of NUP’s Nabilah Naggayi, NRM’s Daniel Kazibwe aka Ragga Dee and Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone who is standing on an Independent ticket but affiliated to NUP.
Semwogerere factor
Opposition leaders are worried, not only in Kampala, Yusuf Nsibambi , a seasoned lawyer who is eyeing the Mawokota South seat on FDC ticket is wary that NUP’s Dr Joel Mirembe might give NRM’s Susan Nakawuki an easy ride.
As such, he opined that perhaps respectable elders should step in and identify popular opposition candidates saying “the struggle is not ours but emanates from Musaazi.”
“At the level of the party there is nothing we can do, everybody thinks he or she is qualified to stand even those that have taken the other direction think they are the best. But if Semwogerere (Paul) and others speak out, no one will disrespect them,” he argued.
All said and done, Robert Kasule Sebunya, the Nansana Municipality Legislator (NRM) says the Opposition should solely deal with rude awakening.
“You are disturbing our elders, the Semwogerere’s, for no good reason. First of all, you chased them out of political parties and said it’s time for youths, the Semwogerere’s were chased out by force,” Kasule retorted.
