Independent candidates give NRM leaders sleepless nights

ELECTION WATCH|INDEPENDENTS 

FORT PORTAL - Several candidates who participated in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections in Fort Portal and decided to bounce back as independents have rejected an appeal by the party to step down for the flag-bearers.

Bunyangabu district NRM party chairperson Peter Musinguzi said: "Independents are weakening the party because they will divide the votes with the official candidates. We have many flag-bearers at the sub-county levels that are not supporting the NRM candidates in the parliamentary elections."

There is stiff competition between independent candidate Victor Kalenzi and NRM flag-bearer Davis Kamukama.

For the District Woman MP seat, gender state minister Peace Mutuuzo is facing Sarah Kabarokole, an independent candidate.

Remegious Turyahabwa, the LC3 NRM flag-bearer for Kakinga town council, said they are being intimidated to support the NRM candidates.

"We are being intimidated by some of the security officials in the district. They are trying to force us to support the flag-bearers at parliamentary levels, but we know their weaknesses and that is why we have chosen to support independents," Turyahabwa said.

Recently, East African Legislative Assembly legislator Denis Namara held a meeting with NRM-leaning independent candidates in Fort Portal, to attempt to convince them to withdraw from the race.

However, many shunned the meeting. Judith Mukidi, an independent candidate for Fort Portal City Woman MP seat, said she is mobilising her support and that of President Yoweri Museveni.

Kabarole district NRM vice chairperson Sylvia Rwabwogo, who is also contesting as an independent candidate for Fort Portal City Woman MP seat, said she was dedicated to serving President Museveni.

Rwabwogo said she cannot withdraw from the race because the party primaries were flawed.