Bayiga takes Buikwe seat
May 01, 2008
Dr. Lulume Bayiga of the Democratic Party (DP) is the new MP-elect for Buikwe South constituency in Mukono district.<br>Lulume polled 12,500 votes to defeat former MP and NRM candidate Anthony Mukasa, who got 8,359 votes.
By Cyprian Musoke and Joel Ogwang
Dr. Lulume Bayiga of the Democratic Party (DP) is the new MP-elect for Buikwe South constituency in Mukono district.
Lulume polled 12,500 votes to defeat former MP and NRM candidate Anthony Mukasa, who got 8,359 votes.
Trailing in the Wednesday by-election were independent candidates Abdallah Kimbowa (219) and Allan Gitta (171).
The returning officer, Ibrahim Buwembo, declared Bayiga winner at 10:45pm at Ngogwe sub-county headquarters.
“I thank my colleagues, security officials and candidates for making this a relatively calm exercise, he said.
In an excited mood, Bayiga said: “Buikwe South has made a big decision. They have been lacking a vibrant leader. I am happy that they look at me as a solution to their problems.
“I want to team-up with them to rebuild Buikwe. Poverty is our biggest enemy. We have to unite and fight it.â€
Mukasa, who was stripped of the seat after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery, said: “People have made a decision but I don’t know whether it was their choice or a result of bribery and intimidation.â€
He claimed some DP officials were arrested distributing ‘items’ to voters.
Commissioner Joseph Biribonwa attributed the low voter turn out to apathy.
Only 48% of the registered 45,538 voters cast their ballots.
“There was voter fatigue. There have been many elections in this area recently and they could have taken the toll on the voters.â€
He said the exercise was largely peaceful except for an incident where Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago was held for questioning after claiming that housing state minister Michael Werikhe was dishing out money to voters.
“But the Police released him later,†Biribonwa said.
Dr. Lulume Bayiga of the Democratic Party (DP) is the new MP-elect for Buikwe South constituency in Mukono district.
Lulume polled 12,500 votes to defeat former MP and NRM candidate Anthony Mukasa, who got 8,359 votes.
Trailing in the Wednesday by-election were independent candidates Abdallah Kimbowa (219) and Allan Gitta (171).
The returning officer, Ibrahim Buwembo, declared Bayiga winner at 10:45pm at Ngogwe sub-county headquarters.
“I thank my colleagues, security officials and candidates for making this a relatively calm exercise, he said.
In an excited mood, Bayiga said: “Buikwe South has made a big decision. They have been lacking a vibrant leader. I am happy that they look at me as a solution to their problems.
“I want to team-up with them to rebuild Buikwe. Poverty is our biggest enemy. We have to unite and fight it.â€
Mukasa, who was stripped of the seat after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery, said: “People have made a decision but I don’t know whether it was their choice or a result of bribery and intimidation.â€
He claimed some DP officials were arrested distributing ‘items’ to voters.
Commissioner Joseph Biribonwa attributed the low voter turn out to apathy.
Only 48% of the registered 45,538 voters cast their ballots.
“There was voter fatigue. There have been many elections in this area recently and they could have taken the toll on the voters.â€
He said the exercise was largely peaceful except for an incident where Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago was held for questioning after claiming that housing state minister Michael Werikhe was dishing out money to voters.
“But the Police released him later,†Biribonwa said.