FDC heavy weights camp in Jinja ahead of byelections

PIC: Amuriat and Mafabi addressing journalists during a press conference at the FDC offices in Najjanankumbi, Wakiso district. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga

POLLS | POLITICS

JINJA - With just three days left to the Jinja East byelections, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party big weights have resolved to camp in the area to monitor the process a head of the polling day.   

Voting is slated to take place on Thursday, March 15.

The team is headed by Patrick Amuriat Oboi (party president) and Nandala Mafabi (secretary general) among others.

This also comes at a time when President Yoweri Museveni is also expected to be in the area to campaign for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Igeme Nabeta.

On Friday last week, the former FDC president, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, also spent the day campaigning for Paul Mwiru. 

Others in the race are Paul Mugaya, Francis Wakabi, Faisal Mayemba, Christine Monica Abuze, Richard Henry Nyanzi, and Isabirye Hatim Mugendi, all vying as independent candidates.

About 28,000 voters are expected to cast their votes in 47 polling stations.

Speaking to the New Vision at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Wakiso district, Mafabi said they are going to be in the area until the tallying process and announcing of the winner.

The seat fell vacant after the Court of Appeal in Kampala nullified Igeme Nabeta's victory and ordered fresh elections. It was nullified on grounds of falsification of election results after Mwiru protested his results in the February 18 elections.

"We urge the Police to only do its work of enforcing law and order. We also call on the Electoral Commission to conduct a free and fair election," he noted.

Mafabi said the party also expects other opposition leaders including MPs in the area to guard the votes.