Kamal Uddin seeking a seat in Castlebar

Bangladeshi native seeks seat in Castlebar

Edwin McGreal

Bangladeshi native Kamal Uddin is hoping to win a seat on Mayo County Council and become the first Asian-born councillor on the authority.
Mr Uddin is running as an Independent candidate in the Castlebar electoral area and the 47-year-old chef feels he can bring something different to politics.
“Castlebar is struggling, I’ve been talking to shopkeepers and they are suffering because there aren’t people around and there aren’t enough jobs around. I decided to run because something has to be done about it,” Mr Uddin told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday).
He moved to Mayo 14 years ago and is an Irish citizen for more than a decade. He’s lived in Castlebar all of that time and has worked in Westport in the Castlecourt Hotel, the Plaza Hotel, The West Bar and JJ O’Malley’s Bar. He is currently a chef in the Aughagower Country Lodge, outside Westport but is planning on opening his own restaurant in Castlebar shortly.
He said the creation of jobs is a key priority for him, as is the reduction in rates for struggling businesses. He also feels Castlebar can learn a lot from Westport in terms of social events and activities.
“In Castlebar nothing goes on. I would like to see an activity every month, to have an event to get people to the town. It can be a social event or a sporting event,” he said.
Mr Uddin said he has considered running for the last four years before declaring this year. He’s involved in community activities such as teaching English to non-nationals and helping out with soccer and cricket clubs.
He has canvassed Castlebar town, Manulla, Ballyheane, Ballyvary and Lahardane in an extensive canvass and feels he is in with a good shout of taking a seat.
“Everyone has been very welcoming, saying that we need a new voice, someone that is hard working. Hopefully I will come through,” he said.