Replacing Nebanda: Butaleja by-election date set

By Pascal Kwesiga

The Electoral Commission has set February 11 as the date for a by-election to fill the position of the Butaleja district Woman MP seat.

The seat fell vacant when Cerinah Nebanda passed on a fortnight ago.

The commission’s spokesperson, Jotham Taremwa, on Thursday said the electoral body has already started updating the voters’ register to establish the number of existing voters, sub-counties, parishes and polling areas in the constituency.

“We need to confirm the number of voters because some might have died, while others come of voting age or relocated since last year’s elections,” Taremwa said.

He said a programme for the by-election will be issued today.

Taremwa added that the process of organising a fresh election to find a replacement for Nebanda, 24, who died on December 14, was already behind schedule because the law gives the EC only 60 days to conduct the process to fill a vacant electoral position from the time it is declared.

Due to the controversies surrounding Nebanda’s death, he explained, the Speaker of Parliament delayed to communicate to the EC about the vacancy of the seat.

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Meanwhile, access to the family home of Nebanda has been restricted.

Only local leaders will be permitted to visit the rural home of the former Butaleja MP at Hitunga Cell village, Butaleja town council, Butaleja district.

Regional spokesperson Mike Odongo confirmed that the Police on Wednesday blocked Nandala Mafabi from visiting the family.

“There were reports that the leader of opposition was set to hold rallies in the area that were likely to incite the community into unrest,” said Odong.

Police blocked Mafabi at Nabiganda, 4km from Butaleja.