Why FDC rejected Naggayi’s nomination forms

Main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has rejected Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala’s nomination forms for Kampala mayoral seat which Erias Lukwago currently occupies.

On July 15, Naggayi returned her nomination forms to the FDC headquarters at Najjanankumbi in Kampala.

But FDC Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda rejected the forms.

Bamwenda said Naggayi had missed the deadline for returning the forms: July 14, 5pm.

However, Naggayi complained that rejecting her forms was part of a plot to kick her out of the race.

She also claimed she had support from all FDC chairpersons of Kampala divisions.

She further alleged that this was not the first time she had found trouble securing FDC’s nomination.

She had issues securing the party flag for the 2016 Kampala Woman MP race, she said.

But Bamwenda argued that Naggayi had an agenda to cause confusion in the party. He claimed Naggayi had ‘deliberately’ skipped the deadline.

The party will not violate provisions of its Constitution to accept Naggayi’s forms, he continued.

Bamwenda also reasoned that not even national EC chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama would accept late nominations.

As she delivered her forms, Naggayi came face to face with supporters of Lukwago who claimed were members of the FDC.

Although Lukwago is not a member of FDC, he enjoys considerable support in the party, thanks to his closeness to its former president Dr Kizza Besigye.

Lukwago is the deputy president of Besigye’s People’s Government and a close ally in the opposition strongman’s political activism.

Naggayi opted out of the Kampala Woman MP race for the mayoral bid. Makerere University researcher Dr Stella Nyanzi is seeking the FDC flag to replace Naggayi.

Since she rose to the limelight by challenging her boss Prof Mahmood Mamdani at Makerere Institute of Social Research (Misr), Nyanzi has gained popularity in opposition circles.

From daring the First Family and paying with a prison term for it, to engaging in protests, Nyanzi has won herself hearts in the city.

Besigye and MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine recently answered her calls for opposition unity.

But Besigye recently admitted opposition unity efforts for 2021 presidential election remained a nightmare.