By Cyprian Musoke
and Eddie Ssejjoba

THE NATIONAL Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Umar Lule Mawiya, was on Thursday declared winner of the Kalungu East by-election, after a mighty showdown that paralysed the small town of Lukaya on Masaka Road.

He beat his archrival and Democratic Party (DP) candidate Fred Mukasa Mbidde with a margin of 918 votes, to regain his seat he had lost to James Mukiibi. Mbidde came second with 9,031 votes.

Mawiya appealed after the 2006 polls to have Mukiibi’s election nullified due to dubious academic qualifications.

The Masaka returning officer, Joy Nandaula, declared Mawiya winner at about midnight at the Saza Lukiiko Hall.
Independent and only woman in the race, Jemeo Juma Kiberu came third with 207 votes beating the FDC candidate, Godfrey Kayemba who polled 190 votes. Joseph Musoke trailed with 72 votes.

Mawiya’s supporters, led by Butambala MP Kaddunabbi Lubega and Masaka LC5 chairman, Vincent Ssempijja went into jubilations at their office in Lukaya as results filtered in, while Mbidde’s supporters danced away to blaring music a metre away on the other side of the road. They also anticipated a big win over Mawiya.

During the countdown, it was difficult to tell who would lead as the frenzied supporters of both Mawiya and Mbidde took to the streets, creating confusion and speculation, bringing business and traffic to a stand still.

Police struggled to keep the crowds out of the road. It was not until midnight when the returning officer defused the tension by announcing Mayiwa’s win.
Mawiya, on the radio thanked President Yoweri Museveni and other NRM leaders including former premier Kintu Musoke for supporting him.

He called upon the people of Kalungu East including supporters of his opponents to join him to develop the constituency. He pledged to work with everybody.

“I am appealing to Kalungu East constituents, whether you voted for me or not, to join me to develop the area under the NRM government,” he said.
Mbidde, however, said he had not yet conceded defeat and was still going through the results with his lawyers.

“I will come up with a statement after my lawyers have gone through the tally sheets, but for now, I cannot accept the results,” he said.

Mbidde said the lawyers were analysing reports of alleged rigging. His camp was surprised that the first results showed he was beating Mawiya with a difference of 1,500 votes, but after midnight it was a different story.

He, however, said he would go through the constituency on Friday first to Lukaya, Lusango, Lwabenge and Bukulula to thank his supporters for voting for him.