Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has unveiled musician Sadat Mukiibi aka Khalifa Aganaga for Kawempe North MP by-election. Mukiibi has been unveiled at FDC party headquarters at Najjanankumbi along Entebbe road, in Makindye Division, in Kampala.
Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the FDC’s President declared Mukiibi as the official candidate of the party and rallied all members to offer him the necessary support so that he can emerge victorious in next month’s by-election.
Kawempe North Constituency fell vacant last month after the area MP Muhammad Ssegirinya succumbed to a 2 year’s illness. However, Mukiibi’s unveiling has left many people wondering whether of all the party’s members, he is the most suitable for an organization whose political prominence is more than 20 years.
Some went as far asking why FDC has not given the card to its 2021 flagbearer lawyer Muhamood Mutazindwa. “How did FDC chose this faded artiste? He contested in Rubaga South and now he is coming for Kawempe? This is laughable.” These are the most dominant questioned being asked both on FDC’s official X pages including that for the Youth League.
In response, FDC has posted Aganaga’s music videos with captions such as “let the music play”. The issue fronting musicians for political positions can largely be connected to Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who stood for Kyadondo East by-election in 2017. This was after who stood for Kyadondo East Constituency after court quashed Apollo Kantinti victory.
Bobi Wine won with a landslide and this inspired many musicians to contest in 2021 general elections. In the end, musicians such as Rachael Magoola, Hilderman, Geoffrey Lutaaya, and music promoters such as Orone Derrick and Godfrey Kayemba Solo emerged as legislators despite their impact in the August House being next to zero.
Aganaga contested for Rubaga South constituency in 2021 as an independent candidate after he failed to secure National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket which was given to Aloysius Mukasa. Aganaga lost terribly and has since been attacking NUP establishment and to some extent he cross to NRM.
The musician has quite some good songs which appeal to the youth audience and his campaigns just like those of Bobi Wine in 2017 are likely to attract crowds largely for entertainment purpose. Some of his outstanding hits include Kiboko, Oyitangayo, Four by Four, and Kawaida, Gunsimbye.
Speaking shortly after being unveiled, Mukiibi urged the youth to support him on the promise that he will deliver their concerns in Parliament better than any other candidate. He faces NRM’s Faridah Nambi and NUP which is the stronghold in the constituency. NUP is expected to announce its flagbearer next week after scrutinizing all the 10 persons who have handed in their applications to be considered for the party ticket.