By Patrick Okino

SUPPORTERS of parliamentary candidates paralysed business in Lira town as they celebrated their candidates’ nomination.

Several independent candidates from the NRM and UPC were nominated yesterday to contest in the 2011 elections.

Those who were defeated in the primaries but got nominated are Silvia Akello, Agnes Ogwang, Mary Sopia Lily Opio, all for Otuke County, Joy Ongom for Lira district, Howard Onyok for Ajuri County, Anna Alum Ogwal for Kole and incumbent Oyam South Issa Otto.

Others are incumbent Kwania county MP Prof. Willy Anok Bongo and the former finance minister in Obote’s government, Henry Okello Makmot. Silvia Akello, Agnes Ogwang and Okello Makmot were eliminated from the NRM primaries, while Ongom, Onyok, Alum and Opio lost in the UPC elections.

MP Otto declined to contest in the UPC primaries after disagreeing with the party leadership. Apac woman MP Betty Amongi replaced him.

Akello said she decided to stand as an independent because the NRM electoral commission failed to handle her petition. “I am an NRM member but my vote was stolen,” she said.

Ogwang said the NRM made a mistake by declaring Annet Okwenye flag-bearer before handling their petition.

Among those nominated as flag-bearers are Joan Pacoto (NRM) for woman MP Lira district, Annet Okwenye (NRM) for Otuke district, John Odit (UPC) for Erute South, Sam Engola (NRM) for Erute South and Geoffrey Omara Adigi (NRM) for Erute North.

Others are Margaret Ateng Otim (UPC) for Lira district, Martin Egum for Ajuri county, Eunice Anna Okullo (FDC) for Lira district woman MP, Alex Akullo (NRM), Dr. Alex Okot (FDC) and incumbent MP Benson Obua Ogwal (UPC) all for Moroto county.

In Kole district, Acheng Joy Ruth was nominated as UPC flag bearer for the district woman MP, Obua Ayoo Molly for NRM and Fred Ebil Ebil for Kole county.