Odoi to politicians: Respect one another

(File photo credit: Mary Kansiime)

The NRM Party Electoral boss Dr. Tanga Odoi has advised politicians to respect fellow politicians regardless of their ideological differences.
 
This comes after a section of legislators on Tuesday heckled in parliament in an attempt to block EALA candidate Ingrid Turinawe from campaigning, accusing her for calling them names.
 
Odoi, regretting the manner in which Turinawe was talked down by MPs, said in a multi-party dispensation there should be political tolerance.

"I think the behaviour is out of a cultivated background of poor relationship between Ingrid and them [MPs]. It is unfortunate it happened but it is an eyeopener that people should be responsible for what they say.

"You don't just talk anything. You don't just call your friends, even if they are members of the different clubs, very bad names. It's not good," he said.

"So it's a testing moment which every individual who was in that parliament should now begin to cultivate a relationship with the other.
"It even takes me to a thinking that even the Movement system is better. Maybe we should go back to individual merits and forget about these political parties."

Tuesday saw dramatic scenes play out inside Parliament as hopefuls presented their manifestos for EALA represention.

In the end, nine candidates, six of them from the ruling NRM, were voted to represent Uganda at the regional Parliament.

They include:  Akol Rose Okulu (NRM), Mathias Kasamba (NRM), Mary Mugyenyi (NRM), Paul Musamali Mwasa (NRM),  Dennis Namara (NRM), George Steven Odongo (NRM), Mukasa Fred Mbidde (DP), Christopher Opoka Okumu (UPC), Suzan Nakawuki (Independent)