Politics

FDC Presidential Flag Bearer to Pay Shs 5m as Nomination Fee

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

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The Forum for Democratic Change has announced that whoever would like to contest for the party’s presidential flag bearer position will have to cough up Shs 5 million. Parliamentary hopefuls, on the other hand, will have to part with Shs 100,000.

All this was revealed as the party announced its roadmap at their headquarters in Najjanankumbi ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Presidential candidates are expected to pick nomination papers on 30th April and 1st May, while they will be nominated on 5th and 6th August.

They will then hold campaigns between Monday, 19th May and Tuesday, 29th July 2025, and then a Delegates Conference on 31st July, where they will announce the successful presidential candidate.

Despite the fact that in 2021 the nomination forms for parliamentary hopefuls were free, the Party Chief Electoral Commissioner, Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda, still insists that the choice of the amount of nomination fees is based on the need to make the party leadership positions accessible to many people.

“The position of Member of Parliament is seen by many as a lucrative position, but that doesn’t mean we hike the nomination fees. The small fee is just meant to cover a few administrative costs,” Toterebuka noted.

The nomination of Members of Parliament, LC5 Chairpersons, and Municipality Mayors runs from 9th June to 10th June 2025, while party primaries at all levels are slated for a period between 26th June and 5th July 2025.

Petition hearing and handling for primaries will then run during the period between 11th July and 20th July 2025.

Politics

“I Was Star-Struck,” MUK Guild President Churchill Ssentamu Breaks Silence on Museveni Moment

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2025

Admin

"I Was Star-Struck," MUK Guild President Churchill Ssentamu Breaks Silence on Museveni Moment

Makerere University Guild President Churchill James Ssentamu has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his now-viral interaction with President Yoweri Museveni — a moment that sparked heavy backlash from National Unity Platform (NUP) loyalists.

Earlier this year, photos and videos surfaced showing Churchill standing beside the President during a university exhibition. Critics from within the NUP branded him a “sellout,” accusing him of cozying up to a man long opposed by their political movement. The situation escalated when his father, Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu, publicly criticized him and even called for his resignation.

But Churchill isn’t backing down.

In an interview with Mr. Henrie on Galaxy TV, he admitted he was genuinely in awe when he met Museveni.

“I’ve studied him in school, read The Mustard Seed— so seeing him in person was surreal,” Churchill explained. “Despite my frustrations over my father’s past arrest, the moment carried weight. Leadership teaches you to engage beyond emotion.”

MUK Guild President Churchill Ssentamu

He emphasized that his position as guild president requires him to serve all students, regardless of political background.

Interestingly, Churchill revealed that President Museveni recognized him, reportedly saying, “So this is the kid,”— a nod to his family’s political ties.

Though his speech at the event was skipped due to time constraints, Churchill believes his presence was symbolic enough.

Looking ahead, Churchill confirmed that he’s eyeing a parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections. While he hasn’t declared a constituency yet, he ruled out Kawempe South, where his father plans to contest.

“I want my path to be different,” he said. “I believe I have something unique to offer this country.”