The President of the People’s Progressive party, Jabeli Bidandi Ssali has been duly nominated to contest for the President of Uganda post in the forthcoming 2011 general elections.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Electoral Commission, Dr. Badru Kiggundu acting as the returning officer at the nominations in Namboole declared Bidandi as duly nominated presidential candidate at 11:28am.

PPP President Jabel Bidandi Ssali

Bidandi Ssali’s supporters jubilated on his official nomination and shouted referring to him as the Nelson Mandela of Uganda. They said he is the most well behaved, clean and visionary politicians who has been active in Uganda’s politics since the days of Independence.

Bidandi, 73, a long time ally and former minister of President Yoweri Museveni said he will serve for one term as president and pave way for another democratically elected President after stabilizing the country’s politics.  Bidandi fell out with Museveni after opposing the president move to change the constitution to remove the two term limit and allow him to run for many more terms as president.

Santa Okot, a former minister in Museveni’s government was part of the 20 people that escorted Bidandi for nomination for President, and referred to him as the most promising president for candidate for Uganda to achieve peace, stability and development.

Bidandi was given two official double cabin vehicles to use during campaigns and official escorts that will ensure his security during the campaign period.

Speaking to journalists after being nominated, Bidandi said he is the man to sanitise governance in the country by introducing institutional leadership that he says currently is missing and is behind most of the country’s setbacks. he also promised to make Uganda a federal state with different regions forming state governments and managing their own affairs.

Many more candidates including President Yoweri Museveni of NRM, Forum for Democratic Change president Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye of the Inter party Coalition, Dr. Abed Bwania of People’s Development Party, Olara Otunu of Uganda people’s Congress,  Nobert Mao of Democratic Party and betty Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance are due to be nominated to contest for Uganda’s top seat.