Police has tightened security in Lwengo district ahead of the NRM primaries for the Bukoto South MP by elections. Simon Peter Wafana, the Southern Region Police commander says that police has deployed heavily to prevent cases of election violence. Wafana explains that they have deployed foot patrols in Kinoni, Kiseka, Degeya, Kingo and around all polling stations.
He appeals to all candidates and their supporters to remain calm to ensure peaceful primary elections. Six candidates are vying for election for election on the NRM party ticket. They are John Alintuma Nsambu, Achilles Lubega, David Bbale Mukasa, Robert Rutalo, Joseph Ssebayiki and Dr. Herbert Lwanga. Bukoto South is made up of two sub counties .They are Kiseka and Kingo Sub county which comprise 124 villages.
Prof. Elijah Mushemeza, the Chairperson NRM Electoral commission says polling materials have already been dispatched to all polling centers. He says that party members are allowed to vote provided they are 18 years and above, and registered voters of Bukoto South.
He says they are going to follow both the NRM and electoral commission register. However, some candidates are crying foul over the time frame given before the primaries. They accuse the NRM electoral commission of not carrying out adequate sensitization to educate the masses on the by-elections.
Robert Rutalo, one of the NRM candidates says they were not given ample time to traverse the entire constituency. He says many party members may not turn up to vote because they are unaware of the by-election.
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Joseph Ssebayiki and John Alintuma Nsambu agree that the time given to them to promote their manifestos amongst the voters is not enough. Nsambu says despite the fact that time allocated to them was not enough, he has managed to reach almost every village.
Bukoto South seat fell vacant after high court nullified the election Muhammad Muyanja Mbabali, the area Member of Parliament due to lack of required academic qualifications. DP’s Mathias Nsubuga, who is also contesting in the by -election challenged Mbabaali‘s education credentials.
