Katuntu regrets announcing early retirement from elective politics

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bugweri County Member of Parliament Abdu Katuntu says he made a mistake to announce his early retirement from politics during his previous term of office.

Katuntu declared in 2016 that he would not contest for political office again, because he felt that the four terms he had previously served were enough. He maintained the position even in the build-up to the 2021 elections and went ahead to mentor journalist Sulaiman Kakaire to succeed him.

But in a rather strange shift of events, Katuntu presented himself for nomination once again to contest for the same parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. He contested against lawyer Julius Galisonga, Shaban Sadiq Nkutu, and Sulaiman Kakaire in a hotly contested race which he eventually won.

However, he now says that the announcement was a mistake for which he was rebuked by his voters for taking a decision without consulting them. He says that he will now learn to keep quiet and act, but not making such pronouncements.

He says that he now returns as an Independent MP which gives him a strong advantage to work for Ugandans and not a party as he did before. He also hopes that Parliament can be the eyes and the ears of the people.

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