By-election: Six eye PWDs parliamentary seats

Jul 12, 2017

The two seats were declared vacant recently after court nullified Katuramu and Nokrach's election.

PIC: Bernard Mayanja, pictured at the EC headquarters after nomination, says he is ready for the challenge. (Credit: Wilson Manishimwe)

ELECTION | PWDs


KAMPALA - Six candidates are set to battle for two parliamentary seats for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in a by-election slated for July 25 in Jinja.

They include Joyce Acan Okeny (NRM), Bernard Mayanja (NRM) and FDC's Godfrey Kabateirene.

Independents Hood Katuramu Kiribedda, Wilson Nokrach and Martin Mwesigwa are also in the race.

The two seats were declared vacant recently after court nullified Katuramu and Nokrach's election on grounds of voter bribery and lack of academic qualifications respectively.

The two are back to try and reclaim their positions after being successfully nominated for the upcoming by-election.

The Election Commission said the academic papers of Nokrach were scrutinized and found to be okay.

Apollo Musinguzi, the returning officer for Kira region, said the nomination exercise has been successful, added that out of eight people who picked nominations forms, six returned theirs and were nominated.

He said the nominated candidates will be voted by delegations of PWDs leaders from district executives. "In every district, we are getting five delegates. Over 573 delegates are expected to vote."

During the nomination exercise at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, Musinguzi said that the EC will be the one responsible to facilitate the delegates, including the polls.

One of the candidates, Mayanja, who was nominated on Tuesday, said once elected, he would advocate for employment opportunities for People with Disabilities in both government and the private sector.

 

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