Three former Army Generals were the only people successfully nominated on the first day of selecting presidential candidates for next year’s elections. The Electoral Commission today kicked off a two days’ presidential nomination exercise at Kyambogo University’s cricket ground.
Justice Simon Byabakama, who is the Electoral Commission Chairman, first nominated incumbent and four-star General, Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni. Museveni retired from the Army more than two decades ago after attaining the highest military rank.
Second to be nominated was three-star General, Henry Tumukunde, who retired from the Army in 2015. Unlike Museveni who is standing on National Resistance Movement –NRM, Lt Gen Tumukunde is running as an independent.
Former Chief of Defence Forces –CDF, Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu Gregg, was the third person nominated by the Electoral Commission. Maj Gen Muntu is standing on Alliance for National Transformation –ANT ticket.
Linda Nancy Kalembe and John Katumba who were the only civilians shortlisted for nomination on the first day were turned away after they lacked proof of paying 20 million shillings as a fee for standing for the post of President.
Justice Byabakama advised Kalembe and Katumba to rush to the bank and pay the money so that they can be nominated tomorrow which is the last day for the exercise. Nancy is the only female aspirant on the list of 10 contenders.
With the successful nomination of three former Army Generals, the public has started wondering whether it will be Generals’ contest. However, Maj Gen Muntu and Lt Gen Tumukunde, are not perceived as a threat to Museveni’s 35 years’ rule.
But Museveni’s nightmare at the moment is 38-year-old reggae star turned politician, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine has a huge following of the youth that make up the biggest population of the country. He was only four years when Museveni captured power in 1986 after a five-year guerilla war.
Bobi Wine who is the president of National Unity Platform -NUP will be nominated tomorrow at 10am. Another somehow power aspirant is Forum for Democratic Change –FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, who will be nominated at 1pm.