Kampala, Uganda: Former National Female Youth MP aspirant Nakku Fiona has officially declared her support for candidate Diana Kampe Ampaire in the hotly contested NRM Flag Bearer elections, dismissing earlier speculation that she had backed another contender in Gold Ikyiriza.
In a video statement that went viral on Sunday evening, Nakku who was addressing her aggrieved supporters said her decision to back Diana was rooted in principle and the need to “stand with the people” against what she described as state-backed influence in the race.
“It has been very clear. There has been a candidate for the people and a candidate for the states. Nakku Fiona has been the candidate of the people and Kanyesige Mercy has been the candidate of the state,” Nakku, who was earlier this month disqualified from the race, stated in the video.
“So do we give a leeway to the state or to the people? Because there are young girls who come from humble backgrounds like mine who won’t attain political positions in this country. We need to send a statement. We are not rallying behind the state machineries. Tomorrow in Kololo we shall be there to stand behind Diana Kampe Ampaire,” she added.
Nakku’s endorsement came hours after rumours swirled on social media that she had chosen to back Gold Ikyiriza, another contender for the ruling party’s flag for the National Female Youth MP position.
But her official declaration has quickly shifted the mood among delegates, with supporters sharing the video clip widely across youth networks and vowing to line up behind Ampaire at Kololo.
Lydia Pulkol, a delegate from Northern Uganda, described Nakku’s endorsement of Ampaire as “the most defiant stand against the system” in the campaign. “Her words about state influence resonated with us. This will shake things up tomorrow,” she noted.
By the wee hours of Monday morning when this story was made public, excitement had built around Kololo where the elections are set to take place, with both delegates and youth activists framing Nakku’s backing of Ampaire as a direct challenge to the “state candidate” narrative.
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