In Uganda, 19-year-old student aspiring for president
In Uganda, a 19-year-old boy chose the presidential nomination documents of the Electoral Commission. Hillary Humphrey Kaweesa, who is in her last six years of vacation, and a former student of Mengo high school are among the nine people who have so far chosen presidential nomination documents in the run-up to next year’s general election in the country.
Hillary Humphrey Kaweesa says he has achieved three major successes in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams in 2019, which makes him legible to run for President. He also hopes to get 20 million Ugandan shillings from supporters of the presidential election. Among other requirements, Candidates must collect 100 signatures from each district to support their nomination.
“I have all the qualifications, I am a good leader, of course, and a Ugandan citizen. I have always been an advisor, and I have always aspired to important positions. I have always been a great dreamer and a successful man. At Mengo, in general, I was a class counselor,” he said, according to Ugandan Observer.
In 2017, MPs abolished the presidential age limit of 75. They also lowered the age of eligibility for the President from 35 to 18.
Another aspirant Mathew Mutyaba also chose the nomination forms. Mutyaba, who is disabled and a lawyer by profession, says he is confident of winning the presidency because he has been spiritually called to lead.
Mutyaba, who is 34, says he contested in several positions such as local council elections and the parliamentary seat but lost.
“I always scored less because voters did not believe in me after looking at my physical disability and forgetting that my inner capacity is not like physical capacity,” Mutyaba says.
Other aspirants who chose the forms on Wednesday include Pastor Henry Byamukama, 46, Christopher Alibankowa, 41, a retired military officer, and Simon Peter Serunjoji.
On Tuesday, other aspirants including, Robert Kyagulanyi, the head of the National Unity Platform (NUP), also chose presidential nomination papers.
Although Kyagulanyi was not physically present at the Election Commission, his nomination papers were chosen by Paul Simbwa Kagombe, Chief Administrative Secretary of the NUP.
