Opposition to field joint candidate in Amuru polls

By Moses Walubiri

HARDLY a month after unity brought it resounding victory in the Luweero woman MP by-election, the opposition is set to follow the same blueprint in Amuru district as the race to replace Betty Bigombe picks steam.

In a rare show of unity, opposition bigwigs canvassed votes for Democratic Party candidate, Brenda Nabukenya, with the youthful legislator retaining her seat after trouncing her closest challenger – NRM’s Rebecca Nalawanga – by over 16,000 votes.

With Bigombe expected to quit her seat following her plum appointment as a senior director for Fragility, Conflict and Violence at World Bank, a number of prospective candidates are expected to throw their hats in the ring.

However, opposition’s top echelon has made it clear that it’s not about to spread its efforts thin by each party fielding its own candidate.

“We have resolved to field a single candidate in the name of the opposition,” Dr. Olara Otunnu said on Tuesday during a press briefing graced by party presidents of four opposition political parties – Justice Forum (Asuman Basalirwa), Democratic Party (Nobert Mao), UPC (Dr.Olara Otunnu) and FDC (Mugisha Muntu).

The opposition has had mixed fortunes in the 12 by-elections held in the ninth parliament, winning six of them.

However, in some of the bye-elections the opposition has lost, pundits have pointed out that inability to field a single candidate has played into the hands of the ruling NRM with weak opposition affiliated independent candidates accused of doing the damage.

Bigombe is yet to tender in her resignation for both her ministerial docket and MP since her World Bank posting is a permanent job. 

Bigombe’s new job takes effect on 1st July.