Photo by Miriam Namutebi

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known to many by his stage name of H.E. Bobi Wine, has been cleared to stand for President.

Kyagulanyi was announced as a Presidential candidate at 11:13 pm. The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission,  Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama announced his candidature.

He also warned him against holding processions and waving at people through the open roof of his vehicle since it raises crowds. “We need to avoid the crowding of the people, since the country still has a problem of the COVID-19.”

He now joins Yoweri Museveni, and two other former military Generals; Mugisha Muntu and Henry Tumukunde in vying for the country’s topmost seat. The three were cleared on Monday, November 2.

Kyagulanyi rose through ranks from being a musician to a Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District and is now the National Unity Platform Party President.

On day one of the Presidential nominations exercise, two candidates; Nancy Nakalembe and John Katumba; were turned away, for lack of all the required details by the EC.

Apart from Kyagulanyi, others expected to show up for the nominations on Tuesday include; Willy Mayambala who is an Independent and the Forum for Democratic Change’s Amuriat Oboi Patrick. The other two Independents Fred Mwesigye and Joseph Kizza Kabuleta are expected later in the evening.

More candidates may be cleared by the Electoral Commission, to get nominated.

The EC’s spokesperson Paul Bukenya on Sunday this week told New Vision that more candidates are likely to be cleared.

A total of 13 more candidates have submitted their forms and were undergoing scrutiny, ahead of being cleared to get nominated.

The EC decided to start with the 10 candidates, who had been cleared by Thursday last week.

Bukenya said, “Those who have not yet been verified and cleared still stand a chance (to be allowed to show up for nomination).”