Mbale elections not free and fair â€" Otunnu
Feb 17, 2010
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has disputed the Mbale municipality byelection, saying it was not free and fair although an opposition member won.
By Jude Kafuuma and Patricko Balinda
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has disputed the Mbale municipality byelection, saying it was not free and fair although an opposition member won.
Jack Wamanga of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) won the byelection on Tuesday with 4,776 votes, beating his NRM rival, John Wambogo, by 901 ballots.
“The Electoral Commission has proved that it is an integral part of some rigging machines that appear during elections,†the UPC presidential aspirant and former UN envoy, Dr. Olara Otunnu, said.
Otunnu said UPC was discontented with the results much as they favoured the opposition.
He said the NRM party officials were cited in malpractice such as transporting voters from Nakasongola and people’s names missing on the voters’ register although they had voters’ cards.
According to Otunnu, the low turn-up was due to intimidation by the security operatives who were in the area. Of the 42,503 registered voters, less than 50% of them voted.
UPC’s David Amos Walyemera polled 131 votes, while independents Magomu polled 60 votes and Wambuya 65. Dr. James Mutende, who ran as an independent from NRM, polled 1,119.
Besides the low voter turn-up, the byelection ended in a shooting incident in which the housing minister, Gafabusa Werikhe, was involved. One person was injured.
Otunnu said before the polling day, UPC considered a court injunction to stop the byelections after discovering that the voters’ register missed a number of voters.
“Our candidate is still reviewing what transpired during the election process and will come out with a conclusive decision,†Otunnu said.
He added that Ugandans need to embark on genuine democratic elections as a means to change leadership.
However, UPC congratulated the FDC candidate for winning the heavily contested polls.
“We are proud of FDC as fellow members of the Inter-Party Co-operation,†the UPC secretary general, Chris Opoka, said.
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has disputed the Mbale municipality byelection, saying it was not free and fair although an opposition member won.
Jack Wamanga of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) won the byelection on Tuesday with 4,776 votes, beating his NRM rival, John Wambogo, by 901 ballots.
“The Electoral Commission has proved that it is an integral part of some rigging machines that appear during elections,†the UPC presidential aspirant and former UN envoy, Dr. Olara Otunnu, said.
Otunnu said UPC was discontented with the results much as they favoured the opposition.
He said the NRM party officials were cited in malpractice such as transporting voters from Nakasongola and people’s names missing on the voters’ register although they had voters’ cards.
According to Otunnu, the low turn-up was due to intimidation by the security operatives who were in the area. Of the 42,503 registered voters, less than 50% of them voted.
UPC’s David Amos Walyemera polled 131 votes, while independents Magomu polled 60 votes and Wambuya 65. Dr. James Mutende, who ran as an independent from NRM, polled 1,119.
Besides the low voter turn-up, the byelection ended in a shooting incident in which the housing minister, Gafabusa Werikhe, was involved. One person was injured.
Otunnu said before the polling day, UPC considered a court injunction to stop the byelections after discovering that the voters’ register missed a number of voters.
“Our candidate is still reviewing what transpired during the election process and will come out with a conclusive decision,†Otunnu said.
He added that Ugandans need to embark on genuine democratic elections as a means to change leadership.
However, UPC congratulated the FDC candidate for winning the heavily contested polls.
“We are proud of FDC as fellow members of the Inter-Party Co-operation,†the UPC secretary general, Chris Opoka, said.