Uhuru trounces Nyakana in NRM primaries

By Eddie Ssejjoba

KAMPALA - The National Resistance Movement incumbent chairperson for Kampala Central division, Salim Uhuru has retained the seat after trouncing his archrival and incumbent division mayor, Godfrey Nyakaana Amooti.

Uhuru was announced winner late Friday after garnering 99 votes against 26 by Nyakana in a hotly contested race.

The voting was characterised by incidents of hooliganism by a group of youth who camped outside the NRM electoral commission offices on Plot 13 Kyadondo Road where the election took place.

It was earlier transferred from the division party offices after candidates failed to agree on a neutral ground. The police battled the hooligans throughout as they blocked them from accessing the venue.

The third contender for the seat, Hajji Kibedi Nsegumire, pulled out at the last hour due to pressure and said he would remain at the sub-county level in the structure. He is also contesting for the mayoral seat.
 

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The hot race had Godfrey Nyakana (left) and Salim Uhuru (right) lock heads. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Nyakana had earlier petitioned the Electoral Commission claiming that Uhuru had bribed voters but it was thrown out due to lack of enough evidence.

Milton Omuruga, an EC official who oversaw the election, also announced winners for other seats but most of them were swept by candidates that had made an alliance with Uhuru.

Uhuru however hugged Nyakana after the announcement and pledged to unite all the NRM supporters ahead of other elections, which sent many voters into cheers and ululations.

Nyakana did not pick forms to contest for the mayoral seat again.