Two line up for Rukungiri Woman MP by-election

Rukungiri: On April 5, the Electoral Commission (EC) released a programme for the by-election in Rukungiri following the March 22 Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the election of Ms Winfred Matsiko (NRM) as the district Woman MP.

The Court of Appeal, in a two majority decision by Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owinyi-Dolo and Justice Paul Mugamba last month, declared the Rukungiri Woman MP seat vacant on grounds that the 2016 elections were marred by intense voter bribery.

Ms Matsiko’s victory was challenged by Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Betty Muzanira, who has also expressed interest to contest for the constituency. Ms Muzanira accused her opponent of making donations during campaigns which is illegal, according to electoral laws.
According to the EC plan, update of voter register in the 87 parishes began on April 16 and will end tomorrow (April 20), a district stakeholders meeting is expected to be held today (April 19) while updated registers will be displayed on April 30.
The guidelines signed by Hajjat Aisha Lubega Basajjanaku, the EC acting chairperson, bans fundraising beginning from April 20.

“The purpose of this ban is to allow a leveled-ground for candidates in the race. For avoidance of doubt, this ban takes effect from Friday 20th April 2018, which is the cut-off date for registration of voters and transfer of voting location in Rukungiri District, and will continue until polling day. Those found to be contravening the law shall be dealt with accordingly,” the letter reads in part.

Candidates will be nominated on May 2 and 3 and they will conduct campaigns for only 26 days between May 4 and May 29. The election will be on Thursday May 31.

The candidates
Two people have so far officially shown interest in the position.
They are NRM’s Masiko and also NRM candidate and Ms Muzanira of FDC.
Other candidates such as Ms Priscah Sezi Mbaguta, the State Minister for Public Service, is expected to join in the race although she has not publicly come out to declare her candidature.

Mobilisation for candidates by their political parties has already started.
Mr Roland Mugume Kaginda, the Rukungiri Municipality MP, heads FDC team while Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, the former Rujumbura MP and NRM district chairperson leads the NRM camp.

NRM national chairman President Museveni visited Rukungiri last Sunday and donated to different groups cash and items including vehicles, motorcycles and carpentry machinery, among others valued in billions of shillings.
Rukungiri is the home of Dr Kizza Besigye, the four-time presidential candidate, a political nemesis of Mr Museveni.

Opposition politicians have argued that Mr Museveni’s motive was to bribe the voters.
“I don’t think what Museveni brought here will achieve the intention. Definitely, it was about bribing voters. But I can see people understand his politics and they have come to tell me that I am the one who brought this money. They are asking where he has been all this time to come and deliver these items at the time when there is a by-election. Some groups have donated part of the money to our campaign others have promised,” says Ms Muzanira.

She further says she is confident that she won the 2016 election and will win if the process is free and fair.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Martin Mugabi, says what the President did cannot tantamount to bribery.

He notes that he has been in the district doing his official duty of promoting improvement in household incomes.
Ms Masiko says she has started mobilising for re-election and believes voters will vote her back.

Age limit issue not ignored
FDC secretary for mobilisation Ingrid Turinawe claims Rukungiri voters are angry with Ms Masiko for voting in favour of presidential age limit amendment.
“We want to send a message to the one who touched it (voted in favour of amendment) that the people of Rukungiri never wanted our Constitution changed.

We want Winfred [Masiko] to understand that she sent herself and that she did not ask anyone before he touched the Constitution,” Ms Turinawe says.
Mr Emmy Turyabagyenyi Katera, a resident, notes that the NRM has an upper hand and it is the opposition that needs to prove itself.

The roadmap

April 16: Update of voter register in the 87 parishes.
April 19: Stakeholders meeting.
April 20: End of update of voter register.
April 30: Display of updated voter register.
May 2 & 3: Nomination of candidates.
May 4: Start of campaigns.
May 29: End of campaigns.
May 31: Election day.

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