Africano Arinaitwe, an aspirant for the Kitagwenda County Member of Parliament seat, was on Thursday evening cleared for nomination by the Electoral Commission (EC) after receiving a last-minute confirmation from the Ministry of Public Service validating his resignation from government employment.
Arinaitwe, who previously served as an Assistant Education Officer under Kamwenge District Local Government and taught at Kamwenge Secondary School, had earlier been turned away for failing to present official proof of resignation from public service — a mandatory requirement for all civil servants seeking elective office.
The delay, according to EC officials, arose from the absence of documentation confirming that he had formally withdrawn from the teaching service.
However, at about 4:45pm, Arinaitwe returned to the Kitagwenda EC offices with a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service confirming his resignation, allowing him to beat the 5pm nomination deadline.
Speaking shortly after his successful nomination, a visibly relieved Arinaitwe described the earlier setback as “a deliberate attempt” to derail his political journey.
“My failure to be nominated earlier was facilitated, but I thank God and my supporters for standing with me through this trying moment,” Arinaitwe said.
“I finally received the official clearance from the Permanent Secretary, and that has allowed me to be duly nominated.”
He urged his supporters across Kitagwenda to stay united, saying his campaign would focus on “inclusive development and accountability.”
“This victory belongs to the people of Kitagwenda,” he added. “I urge you to remain steadfast as we continue this journey together.”
Confirming the nomination, Kitagwenda District Election Administrator Francis Kagoro said Arinaitwe met all requirements before the close of the exercise.
“Mr. Arinaitwe returned at a quarter to 5 p.m. with authentic documents from the Ministry of Public Service, and we proceeded to nominate him as a duly qualified candidate for the Kitagwenda County seat,” Kagoro said.
Arinaitwe now joins a list of six candidates vying for the Kitagwenda County parliamentary seat in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
