FDC not popular in Entebbe - DP
Sep 14, 2011
THE Democratic Party (DP) wants Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to withdraw their candidate in the Entebbe Municipality by-elections because he was not popular.
By Jeff Lule
THE Democratic Party (DP) wants Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to withdraw their candidate in the Entebbe Municipality by-elections because he was not popular.
DP candidate Mohammed Kawuma said the same candidate stood and was defeated in the February 2011 elections.
“FDC fronted the same candidate in the February 2011 elections but he garnered a mere 1,000 votes and I got over 12,000 votes. This shows FDC is not popular in the area,†he said.
High Court in Kampala last month nullified the election of Kawuma as the Entebbe Municipality MP on grounds that the Electoral Commission (EC) did not comply with electoral laws.
Kawuma is contesting with Wilberforce Seryazi (FDC), Patience Mubangizi (NRM), Haawa Nakibuule and Charles Kirumira both independents.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, Kawuma accused FDC of selfishness.
He said they recognize FDC as the strongest opposition party, but did not have support everywhere.
Kawuma said he is the most popular candidate in Entebbe and asked opposition to support him to easily defeat NRM.
FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu insisted that their popular but added that the party is still ready for talks.
DP dismissed allegations for having refused the talks, stressing that party president, Norbert Mao held talks with FDC’s vice president Salaam Musumba and other FDC leaders in Entebbe but no progress was made.
Kawuma said he discussed the matter with his fellow candidate but insisted on standing.
DP’s publicity secretary, Kenneth Kakande said they cannot pull out of the race in favor of any party.
“What are the chances that FDC will win the by-election when they failed last time? Let them just rally behind us to make sure the seat is protected,†he added.
Kakande said they still have hope that FDC will consider pulling out for the good of the opposition.
Kawuma also accused EC of manipulating the voters register by including names of non-residents.
Kawuma said during an exercise to register new voters, EC declared 589 new entrants, but later declared 1,009 at a stakeholders meeting, raising the number of voters from 54,115 to 54, 535.
Speaking to New Vision on phone, the EC spokesperson, Charles Ochola, said the extra numbers were from Katabi, which is a military base. He said they provided all candidates with all registrations from various polling stations and explained the matter during a stakeholders meeting.
THE Democratic Party (DP) wants Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to withdraw their candidate in the Entebbe Municipality by-elections because he was not popular.
DP candidate Mohammed Kawuma said the same candidate stood and was defeated in the February 2011 elections.
“FDC fronted the same candidate in the February 2011 elections but he garnered a mere 1,000 votes and I got over 12,000 votes. This shows FDC is not popular in the area,†he said.
High Court in Kampala last month nullified the election of Kawuma as the Entebbe Municipality MP on grounds that the Electoral Commission (EC) did not comply with electoral laws.
Kawuma is contesting with Wilberforce Seryazi (FDC), Patience Mubangizi (NRM), Haawa Nakibuule and Charles Kirumira both independents.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, Kawuma accused FDC of selfishness.
He said they recognize FDC as the strongest opposition party, but did not have support everywhere.
Kawuma said he is the most popular candidate in Entebbe and asked opposition to support him to easily defeat NRM.
FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu insisted that their popular but added that the party is still ready for talks.
DP dismissed allegations for having refused the talks, stressing that party president, Norbert Mao held talks with FDC’s vice president Salaam Musumba and other FDC leaders in Entebbe but no progress was made.
Kawuma said he discussed the matter with his fellow candidate but insisted on standing.
DP’s publicity secretary, Kenneth Kakande said they cannot pull out of the race in favor of any party.
“What are the chances that FDC will win the by-election when they failed last time? Let them just rally behind us to make sure the seat is protected,†he added.
Kakande said they still have hope that FDC will consider pulling out for the good of the opposition.
Kawuma also accused EC of manipulating the voters register by including names of non-residents.
Kawuma said during an exercise to register new voters, EC declared 589 new entrants, but later declared 1,009 at a stakeholders meeting, raising the number of voters from 54,115 to 54, 535.
Speaking to New Vision on phone, the EC spokesperson, Charles Ochola, said the extra numbers were from Katabi, which is a military base. He said they provided all candidates with all registrations from various polling stations and explained the matter during a stakeholders meeting.