KAMPALA – The National Unity Platform (NUP) has prepared a high-profile substitute candidate for the Nakawa East parliamentary race in case their preferred candidate, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, is not released from prison in time for the upcoming nominations.
According to insider reports, the party leadership, led by President Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has identified flamboyant Kampala lawyer Kenneth Paul Kakande as the party’s “dangerous substitute.”
This contingency plan will be activated only if Waiswa Mufumbiro remains incarcerated up to the nomination day. The electoral commission requires candidates to be physically present to submit their nomination papers.
Sources close to the party president indicate that Bobi Wine holds Kakande in high esteem, valuing his charisma, eloquence, and unwavering loyalty to the NUP cause. This loyalty is seen as significant given Kakande’s political background in the Democratic Party (DP).
Kakande is no stranger to the political landscape of Nakawa. He brings a wealth of electoral experience, having contested for the Nakawa Member of Parliament seat since 2001. This extensive history is expected to make him a formidable candidate who understands the constituency’s dynamics intimately.
The move underscores NUP’s strategic efforts to secure the seat despite the legal challenges facing their initial flag bearer. By having a prepared and well-regarded candidate like Kakande on standby, the party aims to ensure it does not lose ground in Nakawa East.
If endorsed, Kenneth Kakande will carry the NUP flag into a race that is being closely watched, with his potential candidacy adding a new layer of intrigue to the electoral battle.
