DP's MAYANJA GIVING LUKYAMUZI SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

By John Semakula
WHAT John Ken Lukyamuzi, the Conservative Party (CP) President, thought was going to be child’s play is turning out to be a wrestling match. Lukyamuzi is fighting to reclaim the Rubaga South seat, which he handed over to his little known daughter Suzan Nampijja in 2006. One of the factors giving Lukyamuzi headache is the clout the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Vincent Mayanja, seems to have in the constituency. Rubaga is predominantly a DP constituency and the party is pushing to reclaim it. Although Mayanja is new to elective politics, his campaign strategies are novel. During rallies, the veteran journalist focuses on issues affecting the constituency, while Lukyamuzi resorts to political comedy. Whereas people in Rubaga used to fall for Lukyamuzi’s comics, this time they seem to be listening to Mayanja’s arguments. The other factor working against Lukyamuzi is that the electorate is wary that he wants to turn the constituency into a family property. Lukyamuzi and his daughter Nampijja have represented the constituency for the last three terms. In 2006 when he was blocked from contesting for elective offices by the Inspector General of Government for breaching the Leadership Code, Lukyamuzi fronted Nampijja, who won the seat. When Lukyamuzi won the court battles, he returned to politics and Nampijja shifted to Makindye East constituency. This is in contrast to Lukyamuzi’s criticism of African leaders who run governments like families. By remaining in politics and sending Nampijja to Makindye, his opponents say he is no different from those leaders. Others in the race include the NRM’s Farida Mayanja, a journalist working with Beat FM in Kampala. And Bukenya Kawonawo, an independent candidate.