Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has urged voters in Kasese against supporting losers in the NRM party primaries who intend to contest as independents in the parliamentary and local government elections.
Tayebwa, while meeting party flag bearers and NRM supporters at the Multipurpose Hall in Kasese Municipality on Saturday, said it is wrong for party supporters to rally behind any candidate who runs as an independent against the official party flag bearer.
Tayebwa equally dismissed claims by some of the aspirants who claim that President Museveni gave his blessing to run as independents, noting that he guided them to rally behind the flag bearers and work together as a team.
That’s a lie, I was present, the president was very clear, he said even if there were issues, they should go and work as one family, but if there could be those who want to go against his advice, let them go, but they shouldn’t use his name,” he said
The first Vice Chairperson of NRM, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, emphasized the importance of voting for NRM flag bearers, warning that those who intend to run independently run the risk of wasting their money.
The two leaders were in Kasese as part of efforts to reconcile the losers and winners from the NRM party primaries.
Kigongo warned NRM leaders who would want to support independent candidates and leave out flag bearers that they risk losing their party positions.
Tayebwa urged NRM supporters to go out and explain several government achievements in Kasese, including the over UGX 45 billion allocated to Kasese District for the Parish Development Model (PDM), the Nyamugasane Gravity Water Flow project, set to serve 87 villages, and plans to revamp Kilembe Mines and upgrade Kasese airport so that they win people’s hearts.
However, some NRM members who lost in the primaries have maintained their position to run as independents, accusing the party election tribunal of not giving them justice.
Mujungu Gideon, MP for Busongora South, said he is determined to be nominated as an independent candidate after losing to David Mulindwa, accusing the party of neglecting the gross irregularities that marred the internal elections.
While the party is calling on its supporters to only support the winners of its primaries, it should be noted that one has a constitutional right to vie for any elective office as an independent.
