NRM dragged to court over proposed Arua constituencies

Apr 27, 2017

They were supposed to pave way for the future formation of Arua City

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Arua is entangled in a legal battle with former contestants in the then proposed new constituencies in Arua Municipality, Ayivu and parts of Vurra County.

The constituencies that were supposed to pave way for the future formation of Arua City never came into existence although many others in counties including Madi Okollo and Terego were operationalized ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Simon Avutia who claims to have spent sh283m shillings during the aborted Arua East elections now wants court to order the party to pay him compensation for the loss of his previous job, money, and the trauma he has suffered as a result of the elections.

Elections in Ayivu were marred with postponements and confusion. The party had earlier nominated some candidates for the new proposed constituencies.

Avutia and four others including Alex Adrabo, the former councillor of Oluko accuse NRM of failing to clearly communicate to its members.

However Isaac Kafeero, the counsel for the defendant told court that attempts to settle the matter out of court were complicated due to the exorbitant compensation demands of the plaintiffs.

The party wants to pay all the five plaintiffs a sum of sh60m.

The futile declaration of the said constituencies followed a series of meetings involving President Museveni, Ministry of Local Government and various stake holders in the West Nile region.

Justice Stephen Mubiru, the resident judge in Arua adjourned the case to the 13th of July 2017 for further hearing.

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