NRM aspirants warned over academic papers

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party electoral commission has warned party members intending to contest for positions in the newly created districts, that no one will be nominated without verified papers.

The national Electoral Commission (EC) last week announced the election programme for the newly created districts; Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda.

The elective posts include District Woman MP, LC5 chairman and Councillors for special interest groups. Nomination of candidates is slated for July 18 and 19.

The commissioner at the party's EC, Jane Alisemera Babiha said those without certified copies from Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) and National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) will be rejected.

She said this while releasing NRM's roadmap for the forthcoming elections in the newly created districts at their offices in Nakasero.

"If you know you have no papers just stay home. Do not disturb our office. Those with papers should go to UNEB and UNCHE to have them verified. All candidates must present to us certified copies from the two bodies," she noted.

"We are tired of problems. We ask UNEB and NCHE should help us and give us the right people" she added.

The tough move follows a number of cases in court which have led to over 11 MPs losing their seats over academic qualifications.

According to NRM's time table, candidates will be nominated on July 7; campaigns (July 8 to 13), while polling, tallying and announcing results will take place on July 15. 

The party's EC chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi said; "UNEB should do its mandate of verifying and certifying the academic papers. NRM EC is not an examining body to give exams. Therefore we do not have a history of any candidate to use for verification".

"For God's sake, and Allah's sake, and Jesus' sake, the NRM's EC does not have the academic track record of candidates. I want to help people with low intelligence quotient who want to think we do it here to go at UNEB and those who got their qualifications from abroad, to go to NCHE".

Odoi noted that the Woman MP for Kibaale Robinah Nabanja decided to represent the new district of Kakumiro, meaning elections have to be held in Kibaale to replace her.

Those intending to stand for Woman MP and District chairman are required to pay sh2m and sh1m respectively.