Kampala Woman MP Hon Nabilah Nagayi Sempala has been picked by National Unity Platform (NUP) to carry their flag in the Kampala Mayoral Race come 2021.
Nabilah was announced the party’s sole candidate on Monday following re-opening of nominations on Saturday after the party’s flag-bearer Hon Latif Ssebagala’s announcement that he was stepping down.
According to NUP’s Election Management Committee, Nabilah garnered 166 out of 200 points beating a little known Ssali Cudrah who scored 87 out of 200 points. The committee Chairperson Mercy Walukamba however noted that the decision is not final as Nabilah will now have to be confirmed by the NUP board.
Nabilah who claims she has been an ardent supporter of Robert Kyagulanyi accused her former party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), for blocking her mayoral bid until a few days ago when she spotted an opening in NUP.
“You will recall that I attempted to run under my former party, FDC but I was blocked very unfairly. I then decided to run independent. As everyone knows, I have been on record for over two years now, supporting the candidature of Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert for President because I believe that he represents something new in our struggle to liberate Uganda. That is in part why I joined NUP as a member a few days ago” Nabilah posted on Sunday.
Naggayi had in July sought a ticket from FDC but was blocked by the party Electoral Commission for missing the nomination deadline. Later, FDC unveiled the incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as its candidate.
Earlier this week, NUP opened applications for the position of Kampala Lord Mayor after Kawempe North MP Latif Sebaggala who had been successfully nominated for the position withdrew from the race citing need for unity in opposition.
Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleon who had competed with Sebaggala did not seek for the party flag and opted to run as an independent.
Naggayi seized the opportunity to apply for the party ticket and she is set to tussle it out with FDC’s Erias Lukwago, NRM’s Daniel Kazibwe, Democratic Party’s Beatrice Kayanja and Joseph Mayanja who is on independent ticket.