Chaos mars Mbale FDC poll
Sep 30, 2010
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party primaries to elect flag-bearers for the Mbale municipality parliamentary seat and mayor were on Tuesday marred by chaos.
By Daniel Edyegu
and Paul Watala
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party primaries to elect flag-bearers for the Mbale municipality parliamentary seat and mayor were on Tuesday marred by chaos.
The supporters of the mayoral candidate, Moses Kisolo Wojega, clashed with those of Mutwalibi Zandya Mafabi at the Social Centre in the Northern Division over alleged election fraud. The conflict arose from the final tally that bore a total of 89 votes contrary to the register which had 83 voters.
Mafabi got 46 votes in the division against Kisolo’s 43 votes while Rogers Kimaswa, the former municipality secretary for finance, got no votes.
However, Kisolo’s supporters protested and scattered ballot boxes before the district deputy chairperson, Nasur Mabanja, declared the results.
Supporters from the rival camps engaged in fist fights, forcing Mutwalibu to take refuge at the division offices. Police intervened to calm the situation after which Mabanja was whisked away.
Pius Masaba, the FDC secretary for Bulago ward, blamed the party division chairperson, Francis Madoyi, for manipulating the names on the register.
Mabanja, however, said Kisolo’s supporters turned violent after realising that their candidate had lost.
Several FDC supporters stormed the party offices on Court Road to await the final declaration of the results.
The Police chased away the rowdy supporters to allow the party officials to tally the results.
In the final results, Mafabi polled 120 votes to beat Kisolo who got 104 votes.
However, Kisolo said he would petition the results over the ghost voters.
Jack Wamai Wamanga, the incumbent Mbale municipality MP, got 138 votes to trounce his rival, Mayuma Busima who polled three votes.
Wamai will face his erstwhile opponent whom he beat in the February municipality parliamentary by-elections, James Shinyabulo Mutende.
Mutende, who stood on an independent ticket during the by-elections, was voted the NRM party flag-bearer early this month.
and Paul Watala
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party primaries to elect flag-bearers for the Mbale municipality parliamentary seat and mayor were on Tuesday marred by chaos.
The supporters of the mayoral candidate, Moses Kisolo Wojega, clashed with those of Mutwalibi Zandya Mafabi at the Social Centre in the Northern Division over alleged election fraud. The conflict arose from the final tally that bore a total of 89 votes contrary to the register which had 83 voters.
Mafabi got 46 votes in the division against Kisolo’s 43 votes while Rogers Kimaswa, the former municipality secretary for finance, got no votes.
However, Kisolo’s supporters protested and scattered ballot boxes before the district deputy chairperson, Nasur Mabanja, declared the results.
Supporters from the rival camps engaged in fist fights, forcing Mutwalibu to take refuge at the division offices. Police intervened to calm the situation after which Mabanja was whisked away.
Pius Masaba, the FDC secretary for Bulago ward, blamed the party division chairperson, Francis Madoyi, for manipulating the names on the register.
Mabanja, however, said Kisolo’s supporters turned violent after realising that their candidate had lost.
Several FDC supporters stormed the party offices on Court Road to await the final declaration of the results.
The Police chased away the rowdy supporters to allow the party officials to tally the results.
In the final results, Mafabi polled 120 votes to beat Kisolo who got 104 votes.
However, Kisolo said he would petition the results over the ghost voters.
Jack Wamai Wamanga, the incumbent Mbale municipality MP, got 138 votes to trounce his rival, Mayuma Busima who polled three votes.
Wamai will face his erstwhile opponent whom he beat in the February municipality parliamentary by-elections, James Shinyabulo Mutende.
Mutende, who stood on an independent ticket during the by-elections, was voted the NRM party flag-bearer early this month.