Six battle in Kyotera NRM primaries

Three women and three men have been evaluated to contest in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Kyotera district.

Those to contest for the party ticket on the Woman Member of Parliament seat include Dhalia Naluyange, Rachael Nakitende and Cissy Nantongo.

And the aspirants for the NRM LC5 ticket include Patrick Kintu Kisekulo, Charles Lubega Ziriddamu and Anthony Mugerwa.

According to John Bosco Tamale, the NRM registrar for Kyotera, the polls will take place on August 21, 2017.

Tamale said during a meeting on Thursday that all candidates will hold joint rallies to canvass for votes and the winner will be fronted to contest in the main district elections. 

He said the secretariat lacks enough money to support the joint campaigns "meaning the candidates will finance these joint rallies.    

Already pressure is mounting upon every contestant due to the few days to the polls.

However, the District NRM Chairperson Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo (State Minister for Microfinance) offered support in terms of a public address system that will be used at every rally.

Kasolo said all candidates have undisputed zeal and potential to lead Kyotera at all levels.

He said the party needs a strong candidate to win the opposition. And as leaders in the party, Kasolo said they will not support any aspirant to avoid doubt.

"I will not support any candidate whatsoever. Therefore, everyone must fight for their victory and the party will only support the successful candidate in the general contest, heexplained.

He appealed to all security agencies to remain impartial in order to foster a free and fair exercise.

Contestants' concerns

Dhalia Nanyange queries the party registrar's integrity, which she claims was tainted in the previous primaries.

She alleges that Tamale has on many occasions been blamed for his involvement in election malpractices, which affect particular contestants.

Nanyange argued that there is a lot to worry since it is still the same man to conduct the entire process. "If the primaries are held in a free and totally fair manner, I will accept the outcomes," she said.

Rachael Nakitende expressed worry about the growing tendency of tearing posters,which cost them a lot to print. She appealed to the district security committee to arrest all culprits before the situation worsens.

According to Cissy Nantongo, her camp has learnt about schools that have registered underage children in a bid to participate in the primaries.

She added that the move was perpetrated by some NRM party leaders to influence elections in favour of some candidates.

However, Kasolo asked the Police to intervene and investigate the matter to establish the fact.

Patrick Kintu Kisekulo expressed concern about the limited time and lack of enough funds to support their campaigns. He said that this would affect every candidate in the race.

Anthony Mugerwa thanked Kasolo for the public address system, adding that they will use all the possible avenues to campaign for victory.

Charles Lubega Ziriddamu said he is a capable candidate, who has already exhibited potential to lead the district and appealed to fellow candidates to respect each other during the campaign process.