Kigulu South NRM MP aspirant dies on polling day

KAMULI  I NRM PRIMARIES

An aspirant in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Iganga district, Stephen Waako, died at dawn on polling day following a grisly accident.

The Rt. Rev. Paul Samson Naimanhye, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, said Waako had been the diocesan lands and estates officer before his death.

"A very hardworking gentleman who served people with humility. We are going to miss him very much," Naimanhye said.

He said Waako had taken leave of church duty earlier this year so as to contest in the forthcoming 2021 parliamentary elections on NRM ticket.

According to the bishop, the body was still at Jinja Hospital mortuary and the family together with church leaders would meet to come up with funeral arrangements.

"He was actually in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Jinja hospital the entire day and evening of Thursday. Some of us had a chance to check on him as he lay unconscious," Naimanhye said.

Waako was contesting for the Kigulu South constituency flag-bearer slot with the incumbent Andrew Kaluya, Milton Muwuma (former MP) and Iganga district chairman Patrick Kayemba.

Abby Ngako, the Kiira region Police spokesperson, said the accident involved a saloon car in which Waako was travelling in and a trailer truck.

"The saloon car he was in apparently rammed into the trailer from behind as he sped to Jinja. Police retrieved the wreckage and took the accident victim to Jinja regional referral hospital," Ngako noted.

He disclosed that the body awaited a postmortem report before it could be handed over to the family for transport to the ancestral home in Iganga district.

He advised motorists to be extra careful on the busy highways.

Abubaker Walubi, the Iganga district NRM chairman, expressed sadness at the passing of Waako, saying it may affect voter turn up.

"It is not an issue for members from Waako's campaign camp but all of us are mourning as NRM family. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Walubi said.