Who will succeed Balikoowa in Budiope?
Dec 04, 2009
BUDIOPE county is the place where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) got a bloc that enabled it beat the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in the race for Kamuli district chairmanship in 2006. Stephen Mubiru defeated Salaamu Musumba.
By George Bita
BUDIOPE county is the place where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) got a bloc that enabled it beat the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in the race for Kamuli district chairmanship in 2006. Stephen Mubiru defeated Salaamu Musumba.
One of the key architects of this defeat was Henry Balikoowa, the area Member of Parliament, who died in a road accident last Sunday.
In the 2006 Parliamentary elections, Balikoowa won a seat in Parliament after beating the incumbent Paul Lubowa and Mustafa Kalwaza, both NRM supporters, who stood as independent candidates after losing in the primaries.
It was a remote constituency with marginal social services and the electorate thought a younger and more vibrant Balikoowa would be the one to deliver them from the abyss.
Having lost in the Parliamentary elections, Lubowa wanted to stand for the district chairmanship, against another NRM candidate. Realising that this would divide NRM votes and give Musumba (FDC) an advantage, President Yoweri Museveni convinced Lubowa to stand down in favour of Mubiru. In return Lubowa was later appointed the resident district commissioner in Mbale.
The county that stretches to the shores of Lake Kyoga, has now been granted district status. It is to be known as Buyende district.
By appointing a son of the soil as RDC and granting them a district status, the National Resistance Movement has consolidated its support in Budiope. So strong is the NRM support in the area that when Balikowa died, possible successors being discussed do not include any opposition politicians.
Among the potential successors being discussed are Balikowa’s rivals in the 2006 elections, Paul Lubowa and Mustafa Kalwaza. Lubowa, who is currently Mbale RDC, could use his heightened standing in society to win the seat. However, he has not yet declared his intentions. Kalwaza might also want to build on his experience in the last elections, to go for the seat. He, however, is yet to amass a huge following.
George Kayizzi, who served as Budiope legislator in 1996-2001, before Lubowa took over, has retired to his country. He is unlikely to contest again. He has in recent years steared clear of the limelight.
If Lubowa bounces back, he will not be the first RDC to contest for a parliamentary slot and win. Kibaale MP Frank Tumwebaze was an assistant RDC in Iganga before going to Parliament.
BUDIOPE county is the place where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) got a bloc that enabled it beat the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in the race for Kamuli district chairmanship in 2006. Stephen Mubiru defeated Salaamu Musumba.
One of the key architects of this defeat was Henry Balikoowa, the area Member of Parliament, who died in a road accident last Sunday.
In the 2006 Parliamentary elections, Balikoowa won a seat in Parliament after beating the incumbent Paul Lubowa and Mustafa Kalwaza, both NRM supporters, who stood as independent candidates after losing in the primaries.
It was a remote constituency with marginal social services and the electorate thought a younger and more vibrant Balikoowa would be the one to deliver them from the abyss.
Having lost in the Parliamentary elections, Lubowa wanted to stand for the district chairmanship, against another NRM candidate. Realising that this would divide NRM votes and give Musumba (FDC) an advantage, President Yoweri Museveni convinced Lubowa to stand down in favour of Mubiru. In return Lubowa was later appointed the resident district commissioner in Mbale.
The county that stretches to the shores of Lake Kyoga, has now been granted district status. It is to be known as Buyende district.
By appointing a son of the soil as RDC and granting them a district status, the National Resistance Movement has consolidated its support in Budiope. So strong is the NRM support in the area that when Balikowa died, possible successors being discussed do not include any opposition politicians.
Among the potential successors being discussed are Balikowa’s rivals in the 2006 elections, Paul Lubowa and Mustafa Kalwaza. Lubowa, who is currently Mbale RDC, could use his heightened standing in society to win the seat. However, he has not yet declared his intentions. Kalwaza might also want to build on his experience in the last elections, to go for the seat. He, however, is yet to amass a huge following.
George Kayizzi, who served as Budiope legislator in 1996-2001, before Lubowa took over, has retired to his country. He is unlikely to contest again. He has in recent years steared clear of the limelight.
If Lubowa bounces back, he will not be the first RDC to contest for a parliamentary slot and win. Kibaale MP Frank Tumwebaze was an assistant RDC in Iganga before going to Parliament.