By Monica Kobusiinge
Kampala: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has again postponed its party elections in Mawogola North and Mawogola West constituencies in Ssembabule district over escalating violence that has since lead to the death of people.
The party’s electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi last week announced that the elections which had earlier been suspended indefinitely were set for Monday, September, 28. However, the party’s Secretary-General, Justine Kasule Lumumba told journalists on Sunday that the polls had been moved again to Wednesday, September 30 for further arrangements and proper planning.
“They have been put on a halt to ensure electoral officials, security and candidates meet to agree on a number of things before the elections, the meeting will enable stakeholders to agree on how to carry out a peaceful election, the candidates will get do’s and don’ts that need to be followed,” Lumumba said.
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Speaking on Sunday, the NRM Secretary-General said in order to avoid any form of violence, the candidates will be made to sign a form to ensure free and fair elections, noting that any candidate who violates the same will be disqualified from the race.
“Nobody should misbehave, If you misbehave, we shall disqualify you, we are trying all possible means to ensure the elections happen peacefully, we need to keep the NRM spirit alive in the political arena of this country,” Lumumba warned.
For Mawogola West, the party’s electoral body postponed the elections and initiated investigations into the alleged acts of violence that left one of the aspiring candidates and the Ssembabule woman MP, Hanifa Kawooya injured.
In Mawogola North, the contest is between Godfrey Aine Kaguta and Shartis Kutesa Musherure both close relatives to the First family and polls were postponed after some incidents of violence in the area.
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Meanwhile, the NRM Legal Director, Oscar Kihika assured the press that the handling of petitions was completed during the weekend and that the team is expected to seat from 26th September to 4th October. The hearing of the petitions will be held at Plot 13 NRM Electoral Commission) from 9:am to 1:pm daily and petitioners are expected to appear in person.
Counsel Kihika also noted that they are handling 2080 petitions for Parliamentary primaries and have completed over 80 LC5 chairpersons and councillors, over 125 LC3 and mayors were handled last week.
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“We have segmented the petitions in regions, starting from Lango and Kigezi sub-region and we shall handle each region on the stated dates as announced in the newspapers” Kihika added.
