Mpigi District has concluded the nomination exercise for candidates vying for the district’s three parliamentary seats.
Former Minister for Trade Amelia Kyambadde has officially made a political comeback, declaring her readiness to unseat Hillary Kiyaga in the race for Mawokota North Constituency.
Candidates contesting in the different positions turned up in large numbers, marking a vibrant end to the two-day exercise.
The three constituencies in Mpigi are Mawokota South, Mawokota North, and the District Woman Member of Parliament seat.
A total of 28 aspirants picked nomination forms to contest, and 23 successfully met all the requirements and were duly nominated.
Among those nominated are former Trade Minister and ex-Mawokota North MP Amelia Kyambadde, Susan Nakawuki contesting for Mawokota South, and David Nviiri of the Democratic Party, among others.
Kyambadde arrived for nomination accompanied by former Vice President and former Speaker of Parliament Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, whose presence added excitement and enthusiasm at the Mpigi District Electoral Commission offices.
After her nomination, Kyambadde vowed that, under the NRM ticket, they will work hard to reclaim all three parliamentary seats in Mpigi District from the opposition.
“We are coming back stronger and more united. Mawokota North deserves better service delivery, and as NRM, we are determined to reclaim all our seats and complete the projects we started,” Kyambadde said.
She noted that although she had achieved a lot for the constituency before leaving Parliament, many of her projects stalled, and she has now returned to complete what she started.
Currently, Mawokota North is represented by Hillary Kiyaga of the National Unity Platform (NUP), but Kyambadde says many issues have remained unaddressed, and she was at times compelled to intervene even after leaving office.
The Mpigi District Returning Officer, Everest Twinomujuni, said the two-day nomination exercise went smoothly without any major challenges.
After the nomination, Kyambadde proceeded to Kamengo, where she held a massive rally attended by hundreds of her supporters who joined her procession along the Masaka Highway.
She rode in a tricycle, commonly known as a Tuk Tuk, to easily move through the area and greet her supporters along the way.
Residents of Kamengo welcomed her warmly and shared the challenges they have faced in her absence. They expressed hope that if she returns to Parliament, she will be their strong voice once again.
The NRM Vice Chairperson, Hajj Moses Kigongo, also reassured the people of Mpigi that the party stands with them and urged them to elect an NRM candidate, promising they would not regret their choice.
“Let us stand together as one family. The NRM has a proven record of service and stability. If you send Amelia and other NRM leaders back to Parliament, you will not regret your decision,” Kigongo told the crowd.
He noted that during the 2021 elections, the party’s performance in the area declined, and called on members to remain united and avoid divisions based on political differences.
