Ssembabule divided over Kawooya

Nov 15, 2008

SSEMBABULE NRM leaders are divided on whether or not they should hold fresh primary polls for the district woman parliamentary seat.

By Dismus Buregyeya

SSEMBABULE NRM leaders are divided on whether or not they should hold fresh primary polls for the district woman parliamentary seat.

The seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified Hanifa Kawooya’s election on grounds that the Electoral Commission did not conduct the polls in accordance with the law.

The district NRM party vice-chairperson, Hakim Mukiibi, said: “In the district party polls, Kawooya beat Joy Kabatsi in a landslide victory. Kawooya is still our favourite candidate. it was a case of indiscipline for Kabatsi to remain in race as an independent candidate after losing in the party elections.”

But Kabatsi has declared her interest in running again on the NRM ticket. She is backed by district chairperson Herman Ssentongo and Lwemiyaga MP Thoedore Ssekikubo.

Ssekikubo said he preferred to hold a re-run of the primaries because the court overturned the entire election process. He added that the re-run should be soon because the elections had to be held in 45 days.

When contacted on phone, the district NRM chairperson, Sam Kuteesa, said: “I cannot give you an answer now. we need time to think about that matter.

The NRM district party secretary, Dr Elly Muhumuza said they would seek the guidance of the party Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi. He added: “It would be democratic to have Kabatsi in the primaries. Competition is healthy in politics. but we are waiting for official communication from the party headquarters.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Makula, 29, a presenter at Equator FM radio station in Masaka town, has expressed interest in contesting for the seat on the Democratic Party ticket. She said she had received full backing from the party members.

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