10 Ministers Lose Seats

By Felix Osike OVER 50 MPs including 10 ministers had by last evening lost their seats in the just-concluded elections for the 214 directly elected MPs. The ministers who had lost by yesterday were Max Omeda, Steven Kavuma, Gabriel Opio, Alfred Mubanda, Fred Mukisa, Tomasi Sisye Kiryapawo, Manzi Tumubweine, Kweronda Ruhemba and Janat Mukwaya. State minister for sports Alfred Omony Ogaba lost to Samuel Odonga Otto for Aruu county in Pader. Kavuma, the State Minister for Defence, yesterday blamed his loss on massive rigging. "My opponents formed an alliance against me. They connived with election officials to frustrate my bid. "I am thinking of the way forward," he said. Mukwaya also complained of massive rigging and called for a recount of the votes. Kweronda, the minister for economic monitoring, said his opponent, Herbert Nuwagaba, a brother to former army commander Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, intimidated the voters with soldiers. He said he had petitioned the Electoral Commission to repeat polling in Bwonjera subcounty where there was alleged rigging. "My opponent whose brother is a former army commander brought in the military and told people to forcefully vote for him. I was successful in three sub-counties but in my stronghold, which was the fourth sub-county, there was massive rigging," he said. Mukisa said the electoral process in Bugiri was flawed in favour of his opponent. "The whole district administration and the Electoral Commission officials were out to make sure I fail because I have been fighting corruption in that district," he said. He said the officials used funds for teacher's salaries to campaign for his rival. "I have made my point to the wananchi. It is them to petition because I have been fighting for them," he said. Three other ministers, Betty Okwir, Catherine Mavenjina and Jane Frances Kuka, were defeated in the women's polls last week. In Teso region, 10 of the 14 MPs were defeated. MPs Charles Egou (Kalaki), Augustine Okiror (Kasilo), Col. William Omaria (Soroti), Onapito Ekomoloit (Amuria), John Oryokot (Kapelebyong), Wilson Otage (Usuk), Jackson Osire (Bukedea), Aisu Omongole (Kumi) and Fiona Egunyu (Ngora) lost their seats to new entrants. Only Mike Mukula (Soroti Municipality), John Eresu (Kaberemaido) and women representatives Grace Akello and Christine Aporu Okol were returned. In Mbale district, three of the incumbents, Patrick Nabutaala (Bubulo East), Seth Wambedde (Bunghoko north) and Sam Muyonga (Manjiya) lost their seats. But the Bubulo East candidate Edward Wesonga, now on remand for alleged murder, won the seat. In West Nile, Agard Didi and Kassiano Wadri trounced two Movement Secretariat directors Raphael Baku and Obiga Kania for West Moyo and Terego counties. Arua mayor Saidi Nasur defeated Municipality MP Yoram Ajeani while Ayivu MP Dick Nyai lost to former Arua woman representative Zoe Bakoko Bakoru. In Aringa district MP Achille Manoah lost his seat to Ashraf Olega. David Pulkol, who resigned from his UNICEF job to contest for the Matheniko county seat lost to incumbent Sam Abura. Incumbents Akika Othieno (West Budama south), Tezira Jamwa (West Budama North) and long-time politician Paul Etiang were kicked out. Apollo Karugaba (Fort Portal Municipality) and Kisembo Muleju (Burahya) lost their seats. All the three incumbents in Bugiri district were also defeated. They are Wandera Ogallo (Bukhooli south), Abdul Nakendo (Bukhooli north) and Mukisa. Other incumbent MPs who lost their seats were; Baitera Maiteki (Kibanda), Fred Lukumu (Buliisa), Yabezi Kizza (Bujenje), Akida Gabe (Jonam), Waswa Lule (Rubaga north), Stanley Kinyatta (Kinkizi east), Medi Kagwa (Kawempe South), Onyango Kakoba (Buikwe North), Charles Wagidoso (Bulambuli) and Logiro Ngorok. Others are John Lorot (Pian), Abura Kene (Moroto) Deo Kayongo (Kassanda), George Gobba (Erute north), John Akeny (Erute south), Tebigwayo Kaizi (Budiope) and John Magimbi of Bugabula North. Veteran Uganda People's Congress diehard Patrick Mwondha defeated incumbent Abdul Nakendo. Ends