Six candidates have been nominated for the Kyadondo East parliamentary by-election in Wakiso district.
The seat fell vacant after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court decision nullifying the election of Apollo Kantinti. Court ruled that there was non-compliance with election rules during the February 18, 2016 elections, including disfranchising the voters and also failing to secure custody of election materials.
The ruling followed a successful petition to court by Sitenda Sebalu who lost to Kantinti by a margin of 326 votes.
The nominated candidates include Singer Robert Kyagulanyi commonly known as Bobi Wine who is contesting as an Independent candidate. Kyagulanyi is known for his message-laden music that addresses social injustices.
Apollo Kantinti, a member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), is also back in the race to reclaim his seat. Others are Independent candidate Nkuyingi Muwada, William Sitenda Ssebalu of the National Resistance Movement, Kayongo Sowedi Male, Democratic Party’s Lilian Babirye and Kasasa Edward who is also an independent candidate.
The nominations opened yesterday and closed today at 5;00pm at Saza Grounds in Kasangati, Wakiso district.
The election is set for 26th June with campaigns officially kicking off on June 2nd.Kyagulanyi says the race in Kyadondo East is not an NRM versus FDC affair, but a war of the people of Kyadondo against poverty, disease and ignorance.
Kantinti on his part stated that he is hopeful to since the same people that voted him are the same that will put him back. He says it was not his weakness that led to the nullification of the results but that of the Electoral Commission, adding that his fight is that of right against wrong.
Nkuyingi Muwada noted that he hopes to represent the people of Kyadondo whom he says have been sidelined.
Francis Nkurunziza, the returning officer Wakiso district warned candidates against campaigning before the official campaign time.
