No time extension for picking of nomination forms, says Tanga
By the closure of business today (Thursday, June 12), more than 2270 candidates had picked nomination forms from the party electoral commission.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission chairperson posing for a photo with former Vision Group Staff Steven Kabindi who is eyeing Buruuli county in Masindi district. (Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)
By Simon Peter Tumwine
Journalists @New Vision
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There will be no time extension for hopeful candidates picking nomination forms for LC5 and Members of Parliament, Dr. Tanga Odoi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson has said.
By the closure of business today (Thursday, June 12), more than 2270 candidates had picked nomination forms from the party electoral commission.
While addressing the media at the NRM EC offices in Nakasero, Odoi said that the commission has no plans to extend the picking of nominations and expression of interest by even one hour.
“The commission does not have plans of extending the picking of nominations. We shall officially close the picking nomination on Saturday at noon and start preparing for the nominating of candidates on both Sunday and Monday,” Odoi said, adding that the nomination of aspirants for both LC5 and MPs will start on Tuesday and end on June 30.
“On July 1, we shall be handling the Central Executive Committee (CEC) as the campaigns of MPs and LC5 take place. The campaigns of interest of CEC members will end on July 15 and the campaigns for the MPs flag bearers will end July 16,” Odoi said.
An official with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party handing over nomination forms to Former Vision Group Human Resource Manager Eseza Catherine Byakika who is eyeing Butebo district Woman Member of Parliament. 
Odoi noted that there is no time to breathe noting that the party will hold a series of elections, adding that the NRM holds its polls in 72000 villages while the national electoral commission holds its elections in 38000 polling stations.
“We have only 18 staff at the centre and registrars in 151 districts that are not even paid a salary, but I have to manage this election. The capacity of this election is way bigger than the capacity of the election that Justice Simon Byabakama handles,” Odoi said.
He added that Byabakama has a budget of sh1trillion while he (Odoi) has a budget of sh7b.
Odoi commiserated with the family of Kamuli LC5 chairperson Maxwell Kuwembula who died in a motor vehicle crash on Nakifuma road.
Candidates speak out
Rwampara Woman MP Molly Asimwe noted that some of the projects she had embarked on are halfway complete, adding that this is one of the reasons she seeks a re-election.
“I have realised that you cannot complete a project in four years. Many of my projects are incomplete and my people have asked me to come and complete them,” Asiimwe said.
Former Jinja Resident District Commissioner Eric Joseph Sakwa was also among the candidates who picked nomination forms to represent Jnja West.
Former Vision Group Human Resource Manager Eseza Catherine Byakika is among the candidates eyeing the Butebo District Woman Member of Parliament seat and was among the last candidates who picked their nomination forms.
Another former Vision Group Staff Steven Kabindi who is eyeing Buruuli county in Masindi district for the second time revealed that the incumbent Ronald Aled Akugizibwe has not lobbied or represented his people as he is supposed to.
“I have picked interest in this post because we have not been served properly. The cardinal role for an MP is representing them but when you find an MP spending a whole term without having consultative meetings, it means his people are not represented properly,” Kabindi said.
Kabindi revealed that there is no health centre IV in Buruuli despite it being a government policy that each constituency must have a health centre IV with all that comes along with it.
“I am coming to contest in Buruuli because I want to bridge the gap in terms of service delivery, representation, budget appropriation, and legislation,” kabindi said.