EDITOR—I wish to thank Mukono North constituents for turning up in large numbers for the just concluded by-election. I also wish to thank the Electoral Commission officials for presiding over the elections.

But the question is, what would have happened if big people had not campaigned for for Peter Bakaluba? I think Ugandans are now smart enough when it comes to elections. Let this be the beginning of voting for the best candidates in order to develop our country.

Bakaluba should have stepped down as NRM candidate for Mukono and replaced by another candidate. Secondly, the heavy presence of NRM bigwigs like President Museveni, Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya and Specioza Kazibwe did not go down well with the people because Bakaluba was the cause of the by-elections.

Why did DP win? The Inter-Party Coalition made a great impact by seconding only one candidate. This helped Nambooze a great deal because she concentrated only on Bakaluba.

Secondly, her role in Buganda also helped a great deal. The presence of Kakooza Mutale in Mukono reminded people of the ‘Kiboko squad’ because he is well known as a ‘Kiboko man’. It was therefore unwise of him to have gone there. Next year, the NRM should be wiser.

Isaac Ssali
Nabweru North

EDITOR—It is not right for people who have been convicted of election malpractices to be allowed to contest again. Bakaluba Mukasa should have given way to someone more credible but insisted on contesting again. What a shame!

James Musene
Kampala