Lukwago speaks on 2021 presidential election bid, relationship with DP’s Mao

Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago is still coy on the question of carrying the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag in the 2021 presidential election.

Lukwago recently left Democratic Party (DP) for FDC, raising speculation that the party could be mulling fronting him as its flag bearer.

FDC, Uganda’s main opposition party is still attempting Dr Kizza Besigye to stand a candidate for the fifth time in a row since 2001.

During NTV Uganda’s Thursday night show On the Spot, Lukwago could not rule out ambitions to serve his country at another level but said he was “concerned with the challenges we’re encountering right now.”

“My [crossing to] FDC is all about consolidating the relationship I have had with people who I have worked with for a long time. I am talking about people who I have jumped into trenches with in this fight,” said Lukwago.

“A candidate to champion the struggle through an election should emerge organically.”

Even before he officially joined FDC, Lukwago enjoyed a warm relationship with FDC and main opposition leader Dr Besigye.

In fact, Lukwago is Besigye’s deputy at the People’s Government (PG).

The lord mayor also dismissed claims that he had failed the people of Kampala by concentrating on politics instead of development.

“It is a distortion to say that I care more about politics compared to service delivery in Kampala. That is propaganda brought forward by this regime. It is not true.”

Noting that it was worrisome for some people to think “it is only the gun that can change government [and] that the constitution is a mere paper tiger,” Lukwago told Ugandans not to wait for liberators but to participate in the liberation efforts.

He also expressed doubts on the Electoral Commission’s commitment to hold a free and fair election.

“The recent dismissal and appointment of the Electoral Commission officials is being done by a Presidential candidate or aspirant, Yoweri Museveni. This is a sign that the elections will not be fair,” he said.

“We are already having sham elections. They are calling it a ‘scientific election’ because of Covid19 and President Museveni is already taking advantage of it. They have created 46 new constituencies after the road map has already taken off.”

Read: Besigye fires back at Museveni over threats to crush opposition protests backed by foreigners

LUKWAGO ON RELATIONSHIP WITH DP’S MAO

When Lukwago left DP, its party president Norbert Mao said the Kampala politician had legalized his relationship with FDC after many years of cohabitation. But Lukwago said he had no problem with the party.

“Norbert Mao has issues with me. He has called me all sorts of names. He has castigated me and called me a wild cat,” Lukwago said.

“I have no problem with the democratic party as an institution. It has groomed me and nurtured me. DP has given me a platform that enabled me to fight for the liberation of this country. I am very appreciative of what DP has done for me.”