RUKIGA — The outgoing Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairperson in Rukiga District, Michael Kwarikunda Mbareba, has officially been nominated to contest for the position of LCV Chairperson as an independent candidate.
His nomination was confirmed on Friday, September 5, by District Returning Officer Rebecca Mbabazi at the Electoral Commission offices in Muhanga Town Council. Kwarikunda becomes the first aspirant to be successfully cleared in the race ahead of the upcoming district elections.
Kwarikunda, who previously contested for the same seat in 2021 but lost to incumbent Robert Mbabazi Kakwerere, said he decided to step down from his role as FDC district chairperson to heed calls from supporters urging him to run independently.
“I’m responding to the people’s call. I’m ready to serve and lead the people of Rukiga with integrity and commitment,” Kwarikunda told journalists shortly after his nomination.
He, however, revealed that some of his seconders were disqualified for not appearing on the voters’ register and urged all citizens with National Identity Cards to verify their details with the Electoral Commission to avoid being left out of the voting process.
Kwarikunda also launched his campaign coordination office along the Mbarara–Kabale road in Muhanga Town Council, which will serve as the central hub for his election activities.
In related developments, Rukiga District Speaker Oscar Akampurira was also nominated to contest for the position of District Councilor representing workers, a role he has previously held. Akampurira pledged to champion workers’ welfare, promote labor rights, and strengthen the recognition of trade unions.
He appealed to the Electoral Commission to consider allowing workers to cast their votes from their places of work, especially those deployed far from their polling stations.
Meanwhile, Returning Officer Rebecca Mbabazi acknowledged that several aspirants experienced delays during the nomination process due to challenges in verifying the National Identification Numbers (NINs) of their seconders. She, however, assured that the overall exercise is progressing smoothly.
