Low turnout at NRM mayoral primaries

Mar 31, 2014

Peter Ssematimba is on course to recapture the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag for the contentious Kampala mayoral elections.

By Vision Reporter

KAMPALA - Peter Ssematimba is on course to recapture the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag for the contentious Kampala mayoral by-elections.

Preliminary results indicate that Ssematimba stands a good chance to win the NRM primaries that were conducted Sunday by the ruling party in all the 900 villages in Kampala city.

The party is looking to elect its representative in a bid to replace Erias Lukwago, who was impeached by city councilors last year, as Kampala Lord Mayor.

Ssematimba has to beat Muhamad Kasule, Fred Kazibwe and Najja Twaha to become the NRM flag-bearer in the Kampala mayoral race.

Meanwhile, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the by-elections after the High Court on Friday blocked the planned polls pending disposal of a case challenging a KCCA tribunal report.

Justice Lydia Mugambe said KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi erred by notifying the Electoral Commission of a vacant Lord Mayor seat, yet a court order was in place.

The judge also faulted minister for the presidency and KCCA minister Frank Tumwebaze, saying he should have stopped his KCCA meeting to verify authenticity of the contentious court order.

The by-elections are scheduled to take place on April 17.

true
Fred Kazibwe (L) Hajji Twaha Najja (seated, right) and Peter Ssematimba (yellow tie) are hoping to represent the NRM in the upcoming Kampala mayoral by-elections. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal

true
The High Court on Friday blocked the mayoral by-elections from going on, for now, pending the disposal of a case challenging a KCCA tribunal report. Lukwago was there with his lawyers. PHOTO/Peter Busomoke

Despite court’s move on Friday, the NRM primaries still went ahead at the weekend, albeit with fewer than expected voter numbers.

The NRM election officers said the voting process was generally calm in all the five divisions that make up Kampala – Nakawa, Kawempe, Makindye, Rubaga and Kampala Central.

They said Sematimba secured polling agents in all the stations but that his three rivals failed to provide agents in almost half of the stations in Kampala.

Prof. Elijah Mushemeza, the NRM electoral commission boss is expected to announce the NRM flagbearer as soon as vote counting is done.


RELATED STORIES

Erias Lukwago kicked out of office

Minister Tumwebaze explains Lukwago's impeachment

Lukwago on his way out of KCCA

KCCA tribunal report in full

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});