NRM takes lion’s share in youth polls

Countrywide

The NRM party yesterday emerged winner when its contenders for regional youth MP seats won three of the four slots.
In Central Region, elections were held in Masaka and Mr Patrick Nakabaale (NRM) won with 525 votes. beating Hakim Kizza of the Uganda Federal Alliance who got 123 and Ms Babirye Sarah (ind) securing 90 votes.

Then later during the day, Mr Talbert Musinguzi could not see most of the youths that were meant to participate in the exercise.

Bwala Catholic Social Centre where the voting was scheduled to take place appeared deserted as reports started coming in that the youths had gone to Masaka’s Tropic Inn to meet NRM’s electoral commission boss Ruhakana Rugunda. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the NRM was dishing out money to the youths and advising them to vote Mr Nakabaale.

Meanwhile, former journalist Ms Evelyne Anite (NRM) won the northern region seat. She beat her four rivals in an election that was marred by violence and confusion. The 1,002 delegates that converged at Heritage Courts in Arua town started voting at 6pm and ended at mid-night.

Ms Anite was declared by the District Returning Officer, Ms Rose Atima, as winner with 725 votes, Mr Innocent Ayo (FDC) got 37, Francesca Amony (Ind) 27, Mr Job Okello (UPC) nine votes and Mr Kennedy Oluma (UFA) six votes.Former Makerere University guild president Gerald Karuhanga (ind.) won the western region youth MP seat after a tight race with NRM’s Aggrey Kyobuguzi.

Mr Karuhanga polled 522 votes beating Dr Kyobuguzi who polled 518 votes. The elections were conducted on Wednesday evening at Fort Portal’s Kagote SDA hall. Others in the race were Mr Moses Byamugisha (FDC) who polled 22, Mr Robert Tusiime (Ind) 30 and Mr Joram Kisembo 21.

The Kabarole District Returning 0fficer, Mr Kato Suleiman, declared the winner around midnight but Kyobuguzi and some youth delegates from Kiruhura District protested the outcome, arguing that some eligible delegates did not vote because they did not appear on the register.

President Museveni’s aide on youth affairs, Peter Ogwang was declared winner of the eastern region youth MP contest. He obtained 992 votes in a race that attracted three other contenders - Mr Gerald Siranda (DP) 142, Mr Joshua Mawerere (Ind) 24 votes, John Bwire (Ind) 19 votes while Moses Owor Kibang (FDC) got 123 votes.

Compiled by Richard Wanambwa, Michael J. Ssali, Felix Warom, G. Mutegeki, Felix Basiime & Richard Otim