New Lord Mayor Says He Won't Beg Museveni for Funds.(Interview)

Byline: Gerald Bareebe

Mr Erias Lukwago on Monday became Kampala’s first Lord Mayor after trouncing NRM’s Peter Sematimba in the hotly contested city mayoral election. He spoke to Saturday Monitor’s Gerald Bareebe about what inspired him to contest for the seat, the challenges ahead of him and his icy relationship with President Museveni.

After five years as Member of Parliament, why did you choose to seek election to the mayoral seat?

As a representative for Kampala Central, I realised that people were getting disgusted both with the NRM and the City Council. They were also disappointed with the leadership of Hajj Nasser Ssebagala (outgoing mayor) who, until recently, was undoubtedly opposition. He mismanaged the city and I had to rise up to restore hope in the opposition leadership and offer a new dimension. I made a statement and I have no regret about it that 'KCC had been turned into a den of thieves' just as you see this government. It was just money and cutting deals between some of the councillors …