By KT Reporter
The National Unity Platform (NUP) vetting exercise has entered its second day, attracting aspirants from across the Busoga sub-region eager to participate. The exercise has largely drawn councilors from parish, division, city, and district levels, and L.C.III chairpersons.
The vetting of city mayoral candidates will take place at the NUP headquarters, where interested individuals have been advised to fill out expression of interest forms and submit their academic documents for review. Frederick Egesa, the commissioner in charge of NUP elections in Eastern Uganda, explained that Busoga sub-region has been subdivided into two teams: one codenamed Busoga East and the other Busoga South.
Egesa said each team oversees six local government units. Those under Busoga South are being vetted at the Jinja office, while candidates from Busoga East are vetted at the Bugiri office. According to Egesa, the exercise has proceeded smoothly, with aspirants demonstrating credibility and articulating party values alongside their ability to represent their electorates effectively.
“These leadership skills are fundamental in preparing our successful candidates to outcompete all their contenders during next year’s general elections,” Egesa noted. Saul Nsongambi, aspiring for the position of Jinja City directly elected workers’ councilor, described the vetting as “more of a mock exam preparing successful candidates for next year’s general election.”
Nsongambi explained that the vetting challenged candidates to articulate the party’s ideology and how best to leverage it to transform the country. Confident in his abilities, Nsongambi stated that if entrusted with the NUP flag, he can deliver a win in the forthcoming elections. He emphasized that he would use his position to raise the voices of casual laborers in factories, many of whom continue to work under harsh conditions without redress.
Chris Blata, vying for the NUP flag in Katende Ward, said the vetting process reduces disagreements among candidates contesting the same position. Blata added that this transparency allows contenders to interact, which he hopes will pave the way for sustainable peace regardless of the outcome.
He noted he is contesting against two other candidates and, appreciating the fairness, said he would support the successful candidate should he lose.
Winifred Muyonjjo, aspiring for the NUP flag as a woman councilor representing Bugembe Ward, said the vetting team has shown fairness and provided ample time for candidates to express themselves. Muyonjjo hopes that if NUP entrusts her with the flag, she will excel over contenders from other political parties vying for the same position. She shared her passion for improving women’s livelihoods through lobbying for affordable credit facilities to enable women to ignite enterprises ranging from retail businesses to small and medium enterprises.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
