The NRM Electoral secretariat has rejected calls by losers of the Bukoto South primary elections to conduct fresh polls. On Friday last week, the NRM Electoral Commission conducted the Bukoto South primary elections to select a candidate for the forthcoming by elections. John Alintuma Nsambu, the former ICT minister was declared elected after defeating four other contenders. He polled 10404 votes, David Mukasa came second with 1765 votes, Achilles Lubega polled 1525 votes and Joseph Ssebayiki trailed with 92 votes.
However, the losers rejected the poll results saying the election was marred by voter bribery, multiple voting, ballot stuffing and bribery. They called on the party electoral commission to organize fresh and fair primary elections. Prof. Elijah Mushemeza, the NRM Electoral commission Chairperson says the party secretariat has declined to repeat the party primaries.
Mushemeza explains that in addition to lack of genuine grounds to warrant a repeat of the party primaries, there is no time left to conduct the elections. He asks the losers to join hands and support Nsambu, warning them of severe consequences if they dare stand as independents.
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The refusal by the NRM secretariat to conduct fresh primaries has escalated division amongst the party supporters. Robert Rutalo and Achilles Lubega maintain they would rather contest as independents instead of supporting Nsambu. Robert Rutalo accuses NRM of declaring Nsambu, an ex-convict as the official NRM candidate in disregard of the law. Nsambu was convicted in 2006 when he issued a fake cheque to group women in Rakai. Rutalo and Lubega say they are planning to petition court to block Nsambu’s election.
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Joseph Ssebayiki, the other NRM loser says he would rather support DP’s Mathias Nsubuga than support Nsambu. He says he is ready to contest as an independent because NRM failed to organize a free and fair election. John Alintuma Nsambu, the embattled former ICT state minister denies allegations of electoral fraud in the primary elections. He also says that he is ready to defend himself on the allegations that he was convicted for issuing a fake cheque to women in Rakai.
