By Patrick Jaramogi
Former Kampala Lord Mayor and presidential aspirant Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala has come under fire for describing Independent Presidential candidate Pastor Eng. Elton Joseph Mabirizi as a “School Head Boy”.
Ssebaggala who was asked to comment on the presidential debate held at the Serena International conference centre last Friday described the debate as a “waste of time”.
“Look at the people contesting as presidents. Like Mabirizi, he failed to talk. He couldn’t answer the questions put to him. To me he was like a school head boy,” said Seya.
But when asked to comment on Seyas remarks, pastor Mabirizi shot back: “When comparing people and asking me to comment on issues don’t mention Ssebaggala. Who is he? He is a mufere (conman) he should know that where intellectuals like me debate, he can’t. He is political failure and strategist interested in money making.”
Elton Joseph Mabirizi at the debate
Mabirizi said unlike him who is an engineer, Ssebagala (once arrested and convicted in the US for money laundering issues) had no papers to show. “If he is strong and can debate why did he pull out after being paid out? He should know where he belongs among the “bafere” (trick stars). When pinned to comment why he fumbled when asked about the Oil sector yet he is an engineer, Mabirizi confessed that he debated poorly. “I do accept that my debate wasn’t to the expectation of my voters. I agree but I blame the organisers. They should have asked questions basing on our manifestos.”
He said he would also have loved if the questions were given to the candidates ahead of the debate to allow them ample time to prepare the answers.
He said when asked if he and Kyalya were not just up to comedy, Mabirizi retorted: “this is not comedy as people think. No comedian can fork out shs20 million for nominations and again part with sh5 billion for campaigns. It is tough to contest for president and I am proud of it,” he added.