By AGGREY BULUBA
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has nominated Faridah Nambi, daughter of NRM Vice National Chairperson Moses Kigongo, as its candidate for the Kawempe North by-election, following the death of Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Concerns have been raised about whether her nomination reflects merit or is influenced by her father’s political stature. Nambi previously ran for the Kampala Woman MP seat in the 2021 elections but lost to Shamim Malende of the National Unity Platform (NUP). She replaces Tom Fisher Kasenge, who held the NRM ticket in 2021 but was defeated by Ssegirinya.
Sources within the NRM suggest that Kasenge was directed by President Museveni to step aside for Nambi, leading to the decision to forgo primary elections for the Kawempe North seat. This has sparked debate about the legitimacy of her selection, raising suspicions that it was based more on family ties than on a fair, competitive process.
Nambi’s candidacy highlights her father’s significant influence within the NRM, fueling speculation about the impact of political connections on her nomination. Critics argue that the absence of a primary election indicates a preference for party loyalty over a democratic selection of the best candidate.
While the NRM has streamlined its candidate selection process, opposition parties like NUP and the Democratic Party (DP) are taking a different route. NUP is currently vetting candidates and will announce its decision next Wednesday, while DP has yet to provide a timeline for its selection.
The Kawempe North by-election, scheduled for March 14, 2025, is anticipated to be highly competitive. With Nambi as the NRM candidate, the race is expected to be intense, but the fairness of the NRM’s selection process remains under scrutiny, with many questioning whether political connections should take precedence over a transparent nomination process.
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