A political storm is brewing within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as Hajatt Hanifah Karadi, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC), publicly rejected the party’s choice of Hajjat Faridah Nambi as the flag bearer for the upcoming Kawempe North by-election.
The decision, announced by NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi at Makerere University, sparked immediate controversy, with Karadi alleging favoritism in the selection process. She claims that Nambi was handpicked due to her ties to NRM Vice Chairman Alhajj Moses Kigongo, rather than through a fair and transparent process.
“I cannot accept this kind of unfairness in the party I have served for years. The people of Kawempe North deserve a leader who has been with them, not someone imposed on them because of connections,” Karadi declared, vowing to contest as an independent candidate.
Accompanied by her supporters, Karadi launched her campaign using the NRM’s signature yellow colors, further deepening the divisions within the party. She also questioned Nambi’s legitimacy as a candidate, arguing that she is not a resident of Kawempe North.
In response, Nambi dismissed the claims, asserting that she previously lived in the constituency before relocating to Makindye after getting married. She remains confident in her support base, having garnered significant votes from Kawempe Division in the 2021 Kampala Woman MP race, where she finished second to NUP’s Shamim Malende.
NRM insiders are increasingly concerned about the internal rift, fearing it could weaken the party’s chances in the by-election scheduled for March 13, 2025. Some party leaders have urged President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and mediate between the two candidates to prevent a split vote that could benefit the opposition.
Meanwhile, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which previously held the seat through the late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, has begun its own selection process. With NRM facing internal discord, NUP sees an opportunity to consolidate its support in the constituency.
As campaigns intensify, Kawempe North is set to witness a fierce political showdown, with both NRM and NUP battling for supremacy in one of Kampala’s most politically charged constituencies.