NRM youth polls set for today

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission is set to conduct party primaries for special interest groups (SIGs) representatives in Parliament today. 

The elections for the party flag-bearers will include the youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), workers, and older persons in all the four regions of the country and one female national representative for each of the groups.
 
According to the NRM electoral commission vice-chairperson, John Arimpa Kigyagi, the exercise will start with a display of the voters' registers at the party district offices between October 7 and 8, 2020 for review and correction. 

"All queries found on the register are to be reported to the district election officer, not to officials at the head offices. Officers on the ground know the voters better than us at Kyadondo," he said. 

The voting, which is conducted through electoral colleges, begins with open campaigns for the contenders.

Voting for youth and older persons will be by lining up behind a candidate or their pictures, whereas that of workers and PWDs will be by signing against a candidate's name, just like it was in the central executive committee elections. 

However, five candidates, including Abdu Ziritwaula Kalim and Sharifar Birungi, who were contesting for the central youth representative have pulled out of the race, citing the credibility of the NRM youth league structure they are being subjected to. 

"I painfully withdraw my candidature in the NRM to run as an independent for the central youth MP position in 2021 due to the fact that the old party youth structures will vote, instead of new ones, because some of the members in the old structures have ceased being youth as per the National Youth Council Act," Ziritwaula said in a letter to the NRM electoral commission. 

In the face of COVID-19, the NRM took a decision to extend the tenure for the party SIGs leagues for a period of six months. However, the move has attracted discomfort among the youth contenders, who argue that subjecting elections of new youth leaders to an old structure is not only irregular but also unfair. 

A section of youth parliamentary contenders made a last-minute ditch, petitioning the NRM secretariat to review the decision, but leaders maintained their argument, citing the coronavirus pandemic. 

CANDIDATES 

The election exercise will not be open to all members of the party, but to only leaders in the structures of the above-mentioned groups in the party and those at districts and municipalities. 

The voting will be by lining up. The national female youth MP seat, currently occupied by Ann Adeke, has attracted seven contenders in the NRM from across the region. 

These are Marcelina Busomoke, Robinah Akwi, Norah Oliver Mutesi, Desire Muhooza, Phiona Nyamutoro, Ester Asingwire and Gwendolin Musiimenta. In northern Uganda, the showdown will be among Joshua Ekol Mandela, George Abdul, Simon Rubangakene Simon, Jackson Obindu Jackson, and Boniface Okot Henry.
 
The elections for the northern region have, however, been suspended by the party following a court order. The order was issued after Abdul petitioned following his de-nomination by the NRM EC over age concerns.

EASTERN REGION

In the hot race for the eastern youth parliamentary seat, five of the 15 candidates contending for the NRM flag are children of seasoned politicians in the region. 

Those nominated to jostle for the NRM ticket include David Gesa, Enoch Otim Okanya, Romeo Mabandha, Derrick Natwaluma, Andrew Julian Taliwaku, Peter Arikos, Sarah Mpongo Namusoke, Moses Otekat, Kristian Kibuuka, Noah Mwidu, Sumaya Balunywa, Samuel Enimu Ekaju, Mike Mugude, Thadeo Wanyama Judas and Bernard Odoi Onen. 

Despite the NRM often facing stiff competition from areas such as Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Masaka, it has always had a smooth run to the finishing line when it comes to picking the youth representative for the central region in Parliament. 

The constituency has previously been represented by Faisal Kikulukunyu, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, Jospeh Muyomba Kasozi, Patrick Nakabale and Sarah Babirye Kityo, all from the NRM. With Babirye now out of the picture because of the 30- year age limit to the position, youthful NRM turks, such as Agnes Kirabo and television personality Justine Nameere, are expected to compete.
 
Others expected in a showdown include Joan Nanseko, Abdul Kiberu, Fred Mujjuzi, Hakim Mabingo, Felix Kayihura, Sharifah Birungi, Mastulah Nakibuule, Alvin Semambya, Victor Sserunkuma, Rachael Namono and John Bagenda.
 
In western Uganda, Edwin Muramuzi, Agnes Tushabe, Edson Rugumayo, Joshua Israel Akandwanaho, Mark Bitwababo, Gwennie Murungi Biraaro, Patrick Mwesigye, Elemia Muhondogwa and Hillary Ainesaasi.