Lt. Col. Mawa loses Kasese LC5 seat

John Thawite

FDC's Geofffrey Sibendire Bigogo has defeated the incumbent (Rtd) Lt. Col. Mawa Dula Muhindo in the Kasese race for the LC seat.

Announcing the results at the district tally centre Thursday morning, the district registrar, Lawrence Mbinagab said Bigogo had beaten Mawa (NRM) with 88,140 (49.97%) votes to 67,912 (38.50%).

The third candidate, Elphaz Muhindi Bukombi (indepednent) polled 20,338 or 11.5%.

Following the announcement hall burst into ululations, chanting, jumping, laughters of joy as some of Bigogo's supporters carried him sholuder-high towards the district registrar's to receive the results.

"I will work with the sitting (NRM) government to ensure our people get the services they need," Bigogo told New Vision shortly after being declared winner.

Kasese LC5-elect, Goeffrey Sibendire Bigogo is carried by supporters at the district tally centre . Photo by John Thawite

He said his immediate focus will be to carry out a situation analysis of the district service deliovery with a view to improving education, water supply and uniting the people.

"I want to end the animosity that has divided out people along regioanlsim, religion, tribalism and even political affiliation,"
Bigogo promised.

He further pledged to address land-related inequalities which have been source of occasional clahses that have ofetn resulted in bloody clashes between the pastoralists and the cultuvators.

On the long-standing debate of the district split, he said he would go by the wishes of the residents adn the Rwenzururu estbalsihment.

Re-elected Kasese woman MP Winfred Kiiza and former Kasese vice chairman Taddeo Muhindo hug outside the district tally centre. Photo by John Thawite

Muhindi conceded defeat, noting that he could not reject the choice of the people of Kasese., pleding to work with Bigogo.

"The elections have been very peaceful. As a person I respect the choice of the people," Muhindi said.

But he urged the new district leadership to lead through consultations with even those of divergent views.

"I also appeal to Mawa to respect the people's verdict," Muhindi, who is also the South Rwenzori Diocesan St Paul's Cathedral head of laity and founder of Rwenzori School of Nursing and Midwifery, said.

But retired Lt Col Mawa Muhindo's airtel and MTN phones were off when tried to contact him.