

By Nathan Ngobi
Recently, FDC strong woman, Winnie Kiiza announced retirement from active politics. The news was received with reactions, as it is a new thing for a politician to retire that early. Baluku Robert Shampuma is the NRM contestant for Bukonzo East parliamentary seat. He says, the time is now for NRM to reclaim Kasese from opposition after the vacuum created by Kasese district woman MP, Kiiza.
However, according to Baluku, the vacume created by Kiiza is so good that the ruling NRM party can use it to mobilize and reclaim Kasese district.
Baluku, who picked the NRM nomination papers yesterday at plot 13 Kyadondo road, NRM Electoral Commission offices, revealed, Kiiza a thorn in the flesh of the opposition.
“All candidates from opposition enjoyed Winfred Kiiza campaigns for free but now time is ripe for NRM to reclaim Kasese if we can get united and kick opposition out of the Mumbere jurisdiction,” Said Baluku.
Baluku, 38, is a professional accountant, holding a BA Accounts from Makerere University and Director, Green Holdings Initiative. After serving in Kyagalanyi coffee company and Oram company, Baluku says, time is now to serve the people. He is to run against FDC’s Tonny Harold Muhindo.
However, Baluku, who is contesting for the second time for the same seat says if NRM party does not unite and use the leadership vacuum created by Kiiza’s exit, the party should forget the region.
“I want people of Bukonzo East to support me and I will make new changes by creating jobs for the youth through lobbying for small industries and work to modernize farming in Kasese,” Said Baluku.
He said that time is now for the voters in Bukonzo to get better service delivery from government after sending the right MP and in the ruling party.
Baluku is expected to be nominated for the seat when he returns his fully-filled papers.