NRM, Independents dominate LC5 race in Western Uganda

The battle LC5 seats in the western region is largely dominated by candidates from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and independents, a New Vision opinion poll indicates.

The poll was conducted by the Vision Group research team between November 2-14, 2020, covering 5,679 respondents in 45 districts.

In Kabale, independent candidate Denis Mzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi is ahead of his competitors for the district top job in a largely NRM dominated contest.

Poll results indicate that in the quest for the Kabale LC5 seat, Ndyomugyenyi is closely followed by NRM's Nelson Nshangabashe at 43% In third place is Isaiah Nabimanye, an independent candidate, at 6%.

To gauge their political pulse on the forthcoming presidential elections, the respondents were randomly asked the question: "Who do you think should this area's next LC5 chairperson be?"

The survey only captured the candidates who were mentioned by respondents.

The survey was conducted in Kabale, Kabarole, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Hoima, Kisoro, Masindi, Mbarara and Ntungamo districts. Its objective was to gauge the public's perceptions and preferences about the political climate and the general political pulse ahead of the forthcoming general election.

At least over 90% of the 5,679 respondents sampled said they were ready to vote on January 14, with 74% of the respondents living in rural areas, while 26% were urban dwellers.

In Ntungamo, NRM's Samuel Mucunguzi is leading with 96%. In second place is Chrispus Matsiko, the candidate for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), with 2%.

George Karamira of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and Gastone Kamugisha, who is contesting as an independent, are at 1% each.

In Mbarara, NRM's Didas Tabaro Tumwesigye is leading with 89%, while Hygin Karuragire, an independent candidate, is at 11%.

The race for Bushenyi district is also not different. NRM's Jafari Basajjabalaba is leading with 99%, while FDC's Moses Bandeeba is at 1%.

The NRM party is also dominating in Masindi with Cosmos Byaruhanga, the incumbent, leading with 83%.

Byaruhanga is followed by Wilson Isingoma at 16%, while FDC's Tom Kaweesi is at 1%. Similarly, in Kisoro district, NRM's Abel Bizimana is leading with 68%, while independent candidate Milton Mutabazi Bazanye is at 32%.

Bunyoro

In the Hoima district race, NRM's Kadiri Kirungi is leading with 92%, while ANT's Suzan Atuhura is at 2%.

Independent candidates in the race — Yafesi Karuhira, Vincent Muhumuza and Herbet Munyomo are at 2% each.

In Kabarole district, the NRM is also in the driving seat, according to the poll results.

The NRM candidate, Richard Rwabuhangi, is leading with 68%. In second place are independent candidates John Mwesige and Edward Asiimwe at 13%.

The FDC candidate, Justine Komuhangi, is at 7%.

In neighbouring Bundibugyo district, NRM's Ronald Mutegeki is also leading with 96%, while independent candidate Robert Tibakunirwa, is at 2%.

The candidate for the National Unity Platform (NUP), Godffrey Baguma, is also at 2%.

A similar trend is also registered in the nearby Kasese district, where NRM's Eliphaz Muhindi is leading at 45%.

Considering the margin of error, it means that the race in Kasese is too close to call.

FDC's Geoffrey Bigogo Sibendire is at 42%, while NUP's Moses Bwambale is at 4%.

Independent candidates — Emmanuel Kyalimpa and Augustine Masereka are at 6% and 3% respectively.