3 cleared for Buhweju Woman MP election
Buhweju District Woman MP candidates (L-R) Alison Byamukama, Jane Frida Bwiruka and Oliver Koyekyenga. PHOTOS BY ALFRED TUMUSHABE.
What you need to know:
Electoral Commission chairperson says voters should not allow to be influenced by money from politicians.
BUHWEJU.
Three women have been cleared by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest for the Buhweju District Woman MP seat that fell vacant last month following the death of legislator Joy Kariisa.
Ms Oliver Koyekyenga (NRM) and Ms Jane Frida Bwiruka (FDC) were nominated on Thursday, while Ms Alison Byamukama (Indep.) was nominated on Friday at the district headquarters at Nsiika Town Council. Ms Bwiruka was accompanied by former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, opposition Chief Whip Winfred Kiiza and FDC Women League chairperson Ingrid Turinawe.
EC chairperson Badru Kiggundu, who oversaw the exercise, warned candidates against holding public campaigns before Tuesday, the official day for campaigns to begin. Mr Kiggundu asked voters to avoid using hate language, being bribed by the candidates and asked them to report any cases of rigging.
“Voters should be vigilant, listen to candidates and make their own decision; a decision that is not influenced by their pockets, [voters] should avoid those who create divisions in the district and endeavour to protect their votes by reporting anyone rigging,” the EC chairperson said.
Campaigns
Campaigns kick off tomorrow and will go on up to October 29. Voting is slated for October 31. There are 43,856 registered voters in Buhweju. During the updating of the voters register recently, 4,000 more were added. There are 120 polling stations spread in 37 parishes.
Kariisa died last month in Nakasero Hospital after a long illness. It was said the youthful MP suffered a brain infection since early last year and had been flown to India for treatment several times.
