NRM aspirants on the spot over academic papers, resignation

KAMPALA. As the race for the NRM party primaries gains momentum, a red flag has been raised against 55 aspirants, mostly those seeking to be either elected or re-elected as Members of Parliament on the NRM party ticket in the 2016 general election.
According to a list pinned at the NRM Electoral Commission offices on Kyadondo Road, the concerns raised include presentation of fake academic documents, failure to retire from government jobs and late resignation, among others.
The NRM party electoral commission deputy chairperson, Mr John Arimpa Kigyagi, confirmed that the list was that of aspirants that members of the public raised concern about.
He, however, said the NRM legal team would handle the matter.
“After the deadline of nominations (August 7), we shall allow the public to come and view the academic documents of any candidates so that if anyone has queries, they can be raised and handled,” Mr Kigyagi said, adding, “some proactive people have raised queries and we thought it was fair for the aspirants to know whether it is malicious or not.”
Asked why the NRM electrical commission had decided to pin the names of those affected before the party had done due diligence, Mr Kigyagi said it was in the interest of the aspirants.
“In the laws of natural justice, when someone raises a red flag against somebody, it is good to let them know (those affected). And we have informed them (aspirants whose names are pinned) that they have queries,” he noted.
He, however, added that the NRM legal team would look into the petitions and handle accordingly. “Our legal team has not completed doing due diligence, they will handle,” Mr Kigyagi said.
The State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Ms Rukia Nakadama, whose name appears on the list of those with queries on their academic papers, said her political opponents were trying to use blackmail to fail her bid.
“I have the qualifications that are needed, they were verified by Uneb. Those that have questions have failed to convince voters on the ground on why they are coming (to contest),” she said.
Others are Luweero LC5 chairman Abdul Nadduli, Lwengo NRM chairperson Muyanja Mbabali, and Kibuku MP Saleh Kamba. Mr Kamba and Mbabali had their academic credentials questioned.
The Court of Appeal in May 2012 nullified Mr Mbabali’s election as MP for Bukoto South over forged academic qualifications. He was later thrown out of Parliament.
Mr Mbabali is back in the race for the Bukoto South constituency.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Mbabali scoffed at those implicating him in forgery of academic papers.
He said: “Whoever is saying that is really crazy. The problem is that people speak out of ignorance, you can’t just start accusing me without evidence, I went to school with people and none has come out to challenge my academic credentials”.
Mr Nadduli, who is vying for Luweero LC5 seat, in a furious tone said: “I am tired of that, how many times will I have to explain. That is how it is in every election and I have always jumped over it (allegations that he lacks academic qualifications).”
Meanwhile, it was a beehive of activity at the NRM EC offices as several aspirants returned nomination forms, which is part of the nomination process.
Some of those who turned up include Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanya, Second Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, Minister of State for Energy Peter Lokeris, and the Nyabushozi MP, Col Fred Mwesigye. Others were Capt Francis Babu and Ms Kabakumba Matsiko.
Mr Mubarak Kalungi, a legal officer at the NRM Secretariat, said returning of the forms is part of completion of the nomination process, adding that “this is procedural (and) subject to further verification”.

Those affected

Abdul Nadduli
Rukia Nakadama
Saleh Kamba
Muyanja Mbabali
Gertrude Nakabira
Agnes Nabirye
Carolyn Birungi
Wilfred Chemutai
Col Ibrahim Abiringa
Maj Betty Akello
Jovelyn Kyomukama
Godfrey Mugisa
Herman Sentongo
Charles Kadama
Mukasa Kityo
Dr Isaac Lwanga
Mafumo Kefa
James Tweheyo
Kinene Ddamulira
Kato Muhamed Katoto
Zavelio Asaba
Birungi Nanyondo