Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, the former Katikiro of Buganda has failed to convince one of the two opposition candidates for the Masaka Municipality Mayoral seat to step down. Both candidates Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo, from FDC and Deo Luwukya of Subbi, a pro Mengo pressure group belong to the Inter Party Cooperation [IPC].
Last week, Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere and Kiiza Besigye, the IPC presidential candidate convened a meeting with both candidates at Hotel La Nova with the hope of convincing one of the candidates to step down from the race.
The meeting was attended by eminent people from Masaka such as John Matovu, Boney Kasujja and Dr.Nduggwa Mukiibi
After failing to convince one of the candidates to step down, the matter was put to a vote, in which Kayemba polled nine votes and Luwukya got two votes. The members asked Luwukya to step down for Kayemba in vain.
His refusal to step down in favor of Kayemba has stirred confusion in the opposition support base in Masaka Municipality. Luwukya explains that he refused to step down because the meeting was initiated by Kiiza Besigye to favor, Kayemba, the FDC candidate.
He insists that he the qualities to restore Masaka to its past glory adding that he is more experienced of all the candidates vying for the Mayoral seat. Ssemogerere has not yet given up on convincing Luwukya to step down.
He has appointed Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba; the Ex Mengo youth minister to mediate between the two candidates.
Mpuuga says that he has set up a committee to mediate between the two candidates and will report back within seven days. He says that if the two candidates fail to strike a compromise the matter will be left for the candidates to decide their best choice.
