It has been resolved that the Hoima District National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primary by-election campaigns for LC 5 seat resume tomorrow (Thursday).
This was reached at during a meeting chaired by the NRM Electoral Commission (EC) Chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, after six out of the seven candidates, suspended joint rallies claiming blackmail and ferrying drunkards causing mayhem at campaign venues.
During the meeting held at Kolping Hotel in Hoima city today, the candidates agreed that they resume their campaigns on individual rallies contrary to the past when they went for joint campaigns.
Dr Odoi tasked the candidates to draw their campaign schedules and hand them to the EC to avoid clashes in the field and easy provision of security to individual candidates.
He advised the candidates to respect one another in the campaigns that will be starting at 8am and ending at 6pm.
Odoi on campaigns
The meeting that was attended by NRM opinion leaders, the NRM District Executive Committee, the district security team] and the candidates themselves, Mr Michael Kyakashari, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, warned the candidates against blackmail and monopoly of areas vowing that whoever does so, will be dealt with accordingly.
Audio: Kyakashari on candidates (English)
Mr Uthuman Mubarak Mugisha, one of the candidates vying for the seat that fell vacant after the death of his father, Kadir Kirungi, in a motor crash in March this year expressed gratitude for the campaign resumption with a single contestant in one area.
Audio: Mugisha on move (English)
However, Mr John Kwemara, another candidate opposed the single candidate arrangement at the rally saying it denies voters an opportunity to choose the best orator with the best plans for them in the district.
Shortly after the meeting, the six candidates, through their spokesperson, Mr Yunus Mugabe, opposed the arrangement maintaining that they will not resume the campaigns demanding that they want to meet the party national chairman cum President of the Republic of Uganda, Mr Yoweri Museveni for a sole candidate.
They said the issues in their petition to the president were downplayed by Dr Odoi insisting that their trust lies only in President Museveni over the matter.
Audio: Mugabe on downplay (English)
Candidates in the race for NRM party flag bearing for the LC 5 seat opposing the move include Mr Yunus Mugabe, Mr Jackson Mugenyi Mulindambuura, Mr John Kwemara, Mr Moses Mutagwa, Mr Vincent Muhumuza and Mr Samwiri Byaruhanga.
This teamed up and petitioned the president with Mr Mugisha as the only candidate who did not participate in petitioning.
