By Fred Daka Kamwada
The 2021 Parliamentary Elections for Kyadondo East race is getting hotter with new entrants emerging to replace Hon Robert Kyagulanyi who is now vying for the Ugandan presidency.
Engineer Francis Ngabirano is one of the new entrants in the race to snatch the constituency known for its opposition leaning tendencies.
For starters, Kyadondo east was represented by Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) legislator Apollo katinti, who was later thrown out of parliament following a court petition that challenged his victory in the 2016 elections.
When the bye-election was held, celebrated musician known by stage name Bobiwine offered himself and managed to scoop a comprehensive victory over a large number of contenders.
Hon Robert Kyagulanyi later managed to make immediate inroads by canvassing votes for other members of the opposition in other constituencies where he enjoyed nationwide support. It’s this nationwide support especially from the youths which compelled him to create a pressure group known as People power which later metamorphosed into the National unity party (NUP). Kyagulanyi has since gathered support to contest for presidency under NUP.
With Kyadondo East now vacant, engineer Francis Ngabirano is one of the Ugandans who have offered themselves to offer what he termed as ‘effective representation’ which, he says, Bobiwine has failed to deliver in enormous terms.
Engineer Ngabirano insists that although Bobiwine has garnered nationwide support at national level, he has not officered the expected representation that his constituents expected from him as a parliamentarian.
He asserts that it’s true that Hon Kyagulanyi is an inspiration to the youths from all over the country but he has not done his performed his duties as a member of parliament.
Below is the interview which he delivered to Fred Daka Kamwada, a guest writer at sabasabaupdates;
Q; WHO IS ENG FRANCIS NGABIRANO?
A; Eng Francis Ngabirano is a Ugandan from western Ugandan but born and bred for many years in a village called lusanja -kiteezi which happens to be in Kyadondo east. I am a son to Mr. Byakunaga Francis Baguma who happens to have been the first Munyankole to attain a university degree in the whole of Nyabushozi.
He did bachelor of arts and first worked as a clerk in bank of Uganda but it was scooped by Hon Richard kaijuka because of the politics of the time where members of the UPC took first priority. Hon kaijuka’s uncle was a minister in president Obote’s government.
He was later Posted to kamuli as district commissioner but he later quit that job and decided to move to a company called Gaily and Roberts which used to import caterpillars and road equipment. Later on he formed his own company called Mpanga technical services which later evolved into Mpanga engineering company.
I am a construction engineer by profession and a devout Christian. I must also reveal that my father and mother were staunch members of the Democratic Party. Actually during the 1980 elections our mother the late Kamakondele Bernadette Byakunaga gave us DP t-shirts to wear, even when we were very little children at the time.
We strongly suspect the She was actually poisoned because of her political beliefs.
I have worked for companies like, CINNOC, China Construction Company, worked o roads at CAA services in Kajansi, roads in Toro, Kiruhura etc.
I also run a company called landmark engineering services which happens to be one of the leading technical companies in Uganda. Actually as I speak our company is negotiating a contract to work on a road network in Congo from a place called Vuura which stretches over 180 kilometers.
I have a dream that our company will evolve into one of the best engineering companies, not only in Uganda but in the region as a whole. We import our machines from the USA and Spain
Q; WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN THE POLIITICAL RACE?
A; I was inspired by the challenges which I saw in our society. But before that I felt leadership within me when I was still working as a junior engineer with a Chinese road construction company. I could see that although the Chinese wanted to dominate all the jobs, they were not as competent as they portrayed themselves. For instance there was a time when we were faced with protests from the citizens in some part of Toro. I remember Ho Adolph Mwesigye came in to quell the protests, but I was the one tasked to explain everything because the Chinese considered me as a natural leader.
I have accomplished a lot of things to make me an effective leader. Earlier on I used to dream of being a leader in some capacity to serve my people. I have dreams of being a minister in government.
Q’ WERE YOU INSPRED BY JESUS LIKE HON JANET KATAHA MUSEVENI AND HON MATEMBE’s CLAIM?
A; (laughs heartily) no, not necessarily, although I am a Christian my bid is not connected to religious sentiments. Am inspired by the vision that I believe will deliver services to our people. I have lived in lusanja for very many years which are enough to qualify me as the most competent person to represent Kyadondo east. I know what the people need.
Q; WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ABOUT BOBIWINE AS YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT?
A; Hon Robert Kyagulanyi has been an immediate inspiration to the youths. But I must also state that he has not delivered effective representation to the people of Kyadondo. He managed to use the constituency to propagate his presidential ambitions but not to represent the people.
People should know that enjoying support from the youth is one thing and delivering what is expected from you is another thing altogether.
‘’Enjoying massive support from the youth is one thing and delivering what is expected from you is another thing altogether’’
So for the case of Bobiwine, the support he enjoys from the youth has portrayed him as someone who has worked, well as not. In fact I challenge you to go to Kyadondo east and see if there is any program that has been set up by Hon Kyagulanyi. The roads are in terrible shape and there is a huge outcry for service delivery in the constituency.
Q; DO YOU SUPPORT THE CONTINUED STAY OF PRESIDENT MUSEVENI AS PRESIDENT OF UGANDA BEYOND 2021?
A; well , shouldn’t be here telling you that Museveni should either stay or go away because he has managed to run the country very well so far. But I must tell you that president Museveni needs to work on his succession plan because ‘where there is no successor, there is no success.
Besides we all know that is mortal, so he needs to prepare the country for life without him in the near future.
Q; ARE YOU STANDING AS AN NRM CANDIDATE?
A; NO am standing as an independent candidate because I believe in unity in diversity and social transformation for all Besides I know what my people want.
Q; WHICH UGANDANS CAN BE EFFECTIVE OPTIONS for UGANDAN IN CASE PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RETIRES?
A; Rtd Maj-gen Mugisha Muntu has already impressed some of us as a very good option for the presidency. But there other Ugandans like Dr Kiiza Besigye, Norbert Mao , Gen Henry Tumukunde who have demonstrated that they can run the affairs of this country.
Q; WHAT IDEAS DO YOU INTEND TO ARTICULATE ON THE FLOOR OF PARLIAMENT?
A; I intend to work on the re-instate term limits back to two five year terms. I will also agitate for more expansion of infrastructure especially the standard gauge railway which has stalled so far. I have strong concerns about rural electrification, spreading of the water network, supporting the private sector and the promotion of the agricultural sector.
Q; WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR KYADONDO EAST?
A; I intend to set up women SACCO because we have a lot of women who need a helping hand, financially.
I also intend to set up vocational workshops in areas of carpentry metal fabrications etc.
I will also lobby for government to fix the road network for us. I have also held a longtime ambition of lobbying from my friends in the Diaspora to set up a five star hotel in Kyadondo east.
Q; WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO QUALIFY YOU AS A SUITABLE CANDIDATE WHO CAN DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE?
A; I have investments which employ so many people. I have a farm with all sorts of animals ranging from cows, goats and piggery which can translate into social benefits for my constituents. I also have important connections which can help me to make Kyadondo east a model constituency. In life connections can matter more than we expect.
Thanks for your time