NRM wins in Budiope by-election
Jan 26, 2010
THE NRM flag-bearer in the Budiope byelection, Sulaiman Balyejjusa, has won by a landslide, garnering over 75% of the votes.
By George Bita
and Doreen Musingo
THE NRM flag-bearer in the Budiope byelection, Sulaiman Balyejjusa, has won by a landslide, garnering over 75% of the votes.
Balyejjusa received a total of 20,457 votes out of 31,864, while his main rival, Dr. Dominic Wakabi of FDC, got only 6,210 votes.
Ahmed Mugweri (Independent) got 898 votes and DP’s Moses Bigirwa trailed with 449.
About 2.7% of the votes were cancelled due to malpractices at Irundu and Iyingo polling stations.
Samuel Kiyingi, the district returning officer, disclosed that the Irundu polling station officer, Francis Waiswa, had been arrested along with his assistants.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has said the election was not free and fair.
Party spokesperson Wafula Oguttu wondered how Kagulu sub-county managed to register a voter turn-up of over 60% when few people participated in the election.
“We may resort to courts of law to address some of the anomalies that characterised the polling exercise,†Oguttu said.
However, Nkondo sub-county chairman Moses Basalirwa said it was a fair win for the NRM.
“In Iringa, FDC won with 408 votes against NRM’s 217 but the pattern changed,†Basalirwa explained.
Aaron Gwolaba of Kidera said the provision of a ferry linking Budiope to Kayunga district earned the NRM votes.
Former Bugabula North MP Moses Kizige said Budiope is an NRM stronghold.
Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who was in the area to drum up support for Balyejjusa, attributed the NRM victory to the rural electrification programme.
The seat fell vacant following the death of the area MP, Henry Balikoowa, in a car accident in Mabira Forest last year.
and Doreen Musingo
THE NRM flag-bearer in the Budiope byelection, Sulaiman Balyejjusa, has won by a landslide, garnering over 75% of the votes.
Balyejjusa received a total of 20,457 votes out of 31,864, while his main rival, Dr. Dominic Wakabi of FDC, got only 6,210 votes.
Ahmed Mugweri (Independent) got 898 votes and DP’s Moses Bigirwa trailed with 449.
About 2.7% of the votes were cancelled due to malpractices at Irundu and Iyingo polling stations.
Samuel Kiyingi, the district returning officer, disclosed that the Irundu polling station officer, Francis Waiswa, had been arrested along with his assistants.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has said the election was not free and fair.
Party spokesperson Wafula Oguttu wondered how Kagulu sub-county managed to register a voter turn-up of over 60% when few people participated in the election.
“We may resort to courts of law to address some of the anomalies that characterised the polling exercise,†Oguttu said.
However, Nkondo sub-county chairman Moses Basalirwa said it was a fair win for the NRM.
“In Iringa, FDC won with 408 votes against NRM’s 217 but the pattern changed,†Basalirwa explained.
Aaron Gwolaba of Kidera said the provision of a ferry linking Budiope to Kayunga district earned the NRM votes.
Former Bugabula North MP Moses Kizige said Budiope is an NRM stronghold.
Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who was in the area to drum up support for Balyejjusa, attributed the NRM victory to the rural electrification programme.
The seat fell vacant following the death of the area MP, Henry Balikoowa, in a car accident in Mabira Forest last year.