NRM chiefs meet over independents
Dec 07, 2010
THE NRM central executive committee yesterday discussed the fate of independents ahead of the start of the parliamentary campaigns next week. <br>
By Mary Karugaba
THE NRM central executive committee yesterday discussed the fate of independents ahead of the start of the parliamentary campaigns next week.
The party’s top organ reportedly resolved that the party should continue to dialogue with the independents and reconcile the parties.
The committee, chaired by the vice-chairman, Hajj Moses Kigongo, reportedly expressed fear that if independents were left to compete against party flag-bearers, there was a likelihood of dividing the vote.
“We agreed that we shall continue engaging and persuading them (independents) to step down,†a member of executive committee, who attended the meeting, said.
The committee members reportedly acknowledged “a few cases where there might have been a few hiccups.â€
“But there are those who don’t want to accept defeat. We are telling them that if they stand, they may hurt the party,†a source said.
Over 50 current NRM MPs were nominated to contest as independents.
A source also said some were of the view that Kampala mayoral candidate Francis Babu as a CEC member steps down for the flag-bearer, Peter Ssematimba. Babu is the NRM vice-chairman for Kampala region.
Babu, however, declined to comment on the matter.
The committee also discussed the terms of reference of the coordinating committee of the NRM presidential campaigns headed by Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe.
Meanwhile, the independents meet today at Hotel Africana to discuss their next action.
Although the NRM has asked them to concede defeat, the independents have vowed not to bow down. They insist that the primaries were marred by irregularities.
Their spokesperson, Margaret Muhanga, blamed the party ‘system’ for the increased number of independents.
“These people (independents) gave the committee their petitions and hoped that they would be heard. To their surprise, they were never called, they didn’t know what happened to their petitions and no body bothered to explain to them how they lost.â€
Muhanga, who is the current Kabarole Woman MP, lost to Victoria Rusoke.
THE NRM central executive committee yesterday discussed the fate of independents ahead of the start of the parliamentary campaigns next week.
The party’s top organ reportedly resolved that the party should continue to dialogue with the independents and reconcile the parties.
The committee, chaired by the vice-chairman, Hajj Moses Kigongo, reportedly expressed fear that if independents were left to compete against party flag-bearers, there was a likelihood of dividing the vote.
“We agreed that we shall continue engaging and persuading them (independents) to step down,†a member of executive committee, who attended the meeting, said.
The committee members reportedly acknowledged “a few cases where there might have been a few hiccups.â€
“But there are those who don’t want to accept defeat. We are telling them that if they stand, they may hurt the party,†a source said.
Over 50 current NRM MPs were nominated to contest as independents.
A source also said some were of the view that Kampala mayoral candidate Francis Babu as a CEC member steps down for the flag-bearer, Peter Ssematimba. Babu is the NRM vice-chairman for Kampala region.
Babu, however, declined to comment on the matter.
The committee also discussed the terms of reference of the coordinating committee of the NRM presidential campaigns headed by Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe.
Meanwhile, the independents meet today at Hotel Africana to discuss their next action.
Although the NRM has asked them to concede defeat, the independents have vowed not to bow down. They insist that the primaries were marred by irregularities.
Their spokesperson, Margaret Muhanga, blamed the party ‘system’ for the increased number of independents.
“These people (independents) gave the committee their petitions and hoped that they would be heard. To their surprise, they were never called, they didn’t know what happened to their petitions and no body bothered to explain to them how they lost.â€
Muhanga, who is the current Kabarole Woman MP, lost to Victoria Rusoke.