A number of ministers and other prominent politicians from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party  look set to lose their party's backing ahead of next year's general elections because of serious challenges from their rivals.

The Sunrise brings you a list of ministers and prominent politicians who could get rejected and embarrassed by their voters in next week's polls to choose flag bearers for MPs and LC V chairmen slots.

Bitamazire
Sources from Mpigi district reveal that the elderly Minister of Education Namirembe Bitamazire is fighting two youthful ladies who could easily be her grandchildren.

Bitamazire's contestants Mariam Nalubega, who is the National Female Youth MP, and the outspoken Aisha Kabanda, seen by many as Amelia Kyambadde's blue eyed girl. The youth in Mpigi openly say that since Bitamazire has refused to retire peacefully, she will humbly be forced into retirement.

Francis Babu and Wife
In their attempt to revive their flagging political careers, former Kampala MPs Edward Francis and his Wife Margaret Zziwa are back in action. But things do not look very good for the duo because of strong challenges from new comers.

After winning the NRM chairman's slot for Kampala central, Al Hajj Mohamed Nsereko, son to the late Radio Uganda Man Al Hajj Abdul Nsereko has staged a spirited fight against Babu and Fred Bamwine en route to dethroning DP's Elias Lukwago.

On the women's front, Babu's wife and former Kampala district woman MP Margaret Zziwa wants to come back into national politics after serving Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly.

But as things stand, Zziwa will have to do something radical to beat Asia Kinabi, a councilor at the central division, not just because of the later's reportedly good looks, but also because of the fact that Zziwa and her husband carry the stigma that they led to NRM's losing its grip on Kampala.

Henry Bagiire
All is not well for the Agriculture state minister Agrrey Henry Bagiire in his Bunya West constituency of Mayuge district. Although he won the NRM district chairman's slot, observers say things aren't looking up for Bagiire who is facing growing popularity for his rival Vincent Bagiire Waiswa aka Obama.

Minister Nakadaama
Rukia Nakadama Isanga, the State Minister for Gender who recently lost the Mayuge district NRM chair, also needs miracles and a drastic change in her campaign strategy if she is to beat new entrant Manisula Byakagaba Masagazi.

A number of NRM voters have cited Nakadama's sectarian attacks on Masagazi as her big problem. Nakadama reportedly calls Masagazi a foreigner because she is not originally from Busoga.

But Masagazi, herself a Munyoro but married to a Musoga, is unfazed and is continuing to giver rally her supporters with messages of hope in fluent Lusoga.

Lands Minister Kiyingi
Still in Busoga, Lands state minister Asuman Kiyinji might not survive the former guild president of Makerere University Morris Kibalya. In the recent past, their contest has taken an ugly twist with the minister Kiyinji accused of walking into Kibalya's home with a pistol.

Why some chickened out of the NRM primaries
Very many people had expressed interest in competing in the NRM primaries, but only to chicken out at the last hour. In Jinja's Butembe consistency, the government Chief Whip Daudi Migereko went unopposed after his main rival Hannington Basakana - chairman LC V Jinja pulled out opting to come as an independent.

Basakana says that all he needs is being Member of Parliament and not the card. He further amuses people when he says that he believes in the Movement Individual Merit where a person is voted for who he is and not because he belongs to a certain clique or party.

In Mawokota the incumbent Peter Clever Mutuluza pulled out of the race leaving favorite Amelia Kyambade to go unopposed. However sources close to Mutuluza intimate that he feared what he calls over monetization of politics in the NRM.

In some constituencies NRM primaries have turned into a contest of wealth. The State House this week came out to denounce Mutuluza's campaign tactics which included him going around and telling people that President Museveni has endorsed him and not Kyambadde.

Many other politicians have opted to come as independents because of what they look at as double spending. The NRM primaries are as expensive as running the real campaign. For that matter whoever goes through will have an uphill task of spending twice.

Other Ministers
Other ministers facing strong competitors are; Agriculture Minister and yellow girl Hope Mwesigye in Kabale. Mwesigye is facing Bagyeireho Turiho. State Minister Dr. Richard Nduhura in Igara East is facing Vincent Asiimwe and Twinomugisha Asiimwe.

Tourism State Minister Sarapio Rukundo in Kabale Municipality is also tussling it out with Mutebile Ntegyereize and Andrew Baryayanga Aja. State Minister Kamanda Bataringaya in Bwamba is facing strong opposition from Baguma Vivian and Muhindo Kabuleta.

From Katakwi in Teso, State Minister Jessica Alupo in facing Frances Achan and Akurut Adome. blog comments powered by Disqus

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