The National Resistance Movement secretariat has approved John Alintuma Nsambu, the former ICT minister as one of the contestants for the Bukoto South primary by-elections. Professor Elijah Mushemeza, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson says that Nsambu was approved after meeting all the requirements. On Monday, Mushemeza threatened to throw out Nsambu saying that he had not resigned from Bukoto East where he contested as a party candidate in the last election.
This morning, Mushemeza said Nsambu was free to contest since he had resigned his position in Bukoto East and presented the LC I letter from Nkuke village confirming him as a resident in Bukoto South. The approval of Nsambu brings to six, the number of contestants vying for election as the NRM candidates for the Bukoto South by-election. The other candidates are David Baale Mukasa, Achilles Lubega, Robert Rutaro, Dr. Herbert Lwanga and Joseph Matovu Saitoti.
The winner of the NRM primary elections will battle it out with Mathias Nsubuga, the DP secretary general on July 12. The Bukoto South seat fell vacant after the court of appeal upheld a high court ruling nullifying the election of Muhammad Muyanja Mbabaali, the former MP over lack of the minimum Advance level education certificate or equivalent. David Mukasa, one of the NRM aspirants advises the NRM Electoral Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
He says that the previous primaries were marred by massive rigging involving Mbabaali but when they complained to the commission they were not listened too. Mukasa who contested as an independent in the 2011 February polls, want President Yoweri Museveni to probe the circumstances under which the party commission officials conduct primary elections.
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Gertrude Nakabira, the Lwengo district Woman Member of Parliament says she is ready to support any candidate who is endorsed by the party but will not actively get involved in campaigns. On Monday, Nakabira asked the NRM commission to block the decision by Nsambu from contesting the Bukoto South seat. She said the former legislator may cost the party since he had lost to Florence Namayanja in Bukoto East.
