Electoral violence: Museveni names team to oversee elections

POLITICS   2021 ELCTIONS

To avoid the skirmishes that bedevilled the NRM elections for parliamentary candidates last week, President Yoweri Museveni named a 20-man team to superintend over internal polls for district chairpersons (LC5), city mayors and the Kampala Lord Mayor. 

The team led by the Secretary-General of the party, Justine Kasule Lumumba began its work during today (Friday's) elections. 

According to NRM's senior communication officer, Rogers Mulindwa, "the overseeing team is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that elections follow the guidelines and are peaceful." 

Last week, while visiting the NRM secretariat, Museveni who doubles as the national chairman of the party said he wants senior and trusted members of the NRM to arbitrate electoral disputes at regional level. 

Mulindwa said that whereas the President is yet to name the arbitration team, he has already tasked the NRM legal directorate headed by Oscar Kihika to intervene in the legal matters already arising. 

The 20-man team has been deployed at regional and district level across the country as the NRM chooses its flag bearers for LC5, city divisions and Kampala Lord Mayor. 

Lumumba, national treasurer, Rose Namayanja, John Arimpa kigygi and Charles Egou are in charge of Buganda region. 

The NRM electoral commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi is in charge of Ankole, Mike Ssebalu and Jane Alisemera for Kampala and Wakiso whereas Mathias Kasamba, Anthony Iga and Juliet Kabonesa are in Masaka, Mubende, Mpigi and Mukono respectively. 

Other senior party officials appointed include senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, Hajji Abbey Walusimbi in charge of greater Luweero, Col. Shaban Bantariza- Busoga, Emmanuel Dombo-Teso and Richard Todwong-Acholi. 

Chief among their responsibilities according to Mulindwa is ensuring the elections are free from any skirmishes like witnessed last week.