Erias Lukwago, has launched his candidacy for Lord Mayor of Kampala and had no kind words for politicians who think they can rally behind other candidates to dethrone him.
Betty Nambooze one of his allies, has called on the opposition to protect their strangleholds, and then go out to capture others.
Lukwago outlined that he will focus on fighting for the rights of Kampala residents who he says have been oppressed.
Acting as their shield, Lukwago says he will protect the city from corruption, misuse of public funds and land grabbers by cartels and mafia.
In attendance at Lukwago’s Wakaliga residence were political allies like FDC spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda, Nabbosa Ssebugwawo and other division mayors.
Lukwago took a jibe at President Museveni, saying that as he done in the past years, he is again going to trounce him and his cronies in the forthcoming elections.
“Museveni has on several occasions tried to capture the city for the past 10 years but has failed. He has brought many ministers including Wabudeya Beatrice, Muruuli Mukasa, Frank Tumwebaze, Benny Namugwanya and Beti Kamya but I have stood firm.
They then hyped Jennifer Musisi and many other RCCs but all have failed on the mission.
“I have defeated them and will always defeat him,” Lukwago said.
Lukwago also commented on the KCCA Amendment Act, 2019 which he said was fronted by former Kampala minister, Beti Kamya so as to usurp his powers as the political head of the city but the mission failed.
“Kamya wanted to put Kampala in the hands of Museveni by amending the law to make the minister, the new political head of the city,” he said
Lukwago is likely to face a tough race as his former party, Democratic Party has fronted Beatrice Kayanja for the same position.
In the running for Kampala mayor are also musician turned politicians Joseph Mayanja (National Unity Platform) and Daniel Kazibwe alias Ragga Dee (National Resistance Movement).
Lukwago has been Kampala Mayor since January 2011.
He first came to the position fronted by the Democratic Party (DP) which he has since fallen out with.
Lukwago has accused DP president Norbert Mao of undemocratic practices while Mao has countered that Lukwago failed to respect party positions.