NRM's Kibaaju wins Sheema North seat

SHEEMA NORTH BY-ELECTION

NRM's Naome Kibaaju has beaten FDC's Guma Nuwagaba by a little over 4,000  votes to win the Sheema North constituency by-election.

Kibaaju got 11,326 votes while her only challenger in a two-way race managed 7,322 votes.

The district returning officer Deborah Asiimwe declared Kibaaju winner just after 9pm local time.

The total number of valid votes cast was 18, 648 while the invalid votes were 125. Twenty-eight (28) ballot papers were spoilt.

Sheema North, which altogether has 65 polling stations, was left without an MP following the resignation of Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye.

Former area MP Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye (in white) was among the voters of the day. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Tumwesigye, who is also the science, technology and innovation minister, resigned in August after being elected Sheema Municipality MP. This was one of the municipalities created in 2015.

After submitting his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Sheema North was declared vacant, paving way for a by-election that was decided Monday following a fairly smooth voting process.

Kibaaju's supporters erupted into jubilations at the tally centre as soon as she was declared victor of a race featuring a brief cast of two contestants.

There was heavy security deployment in the form of Police and army for the voting exercise that took place in the sub-counties of Kigarama, Masheruka, Kyangyenyi, Kakindo and Masheruka town council.

Nuwagaba was the resident district commissioner of Mitoma district, before crossing to Opposition party FDC after losing to Kibaaju in NRM primaries.

Kibaaju, who was on Saturday described by NRM chairman President Yoweri Museveni as an honest and trusted person, worked in defense for many years before joining politics.

Also related to this story

Sheema North constituency goes to the polls