By KT Reporter
There was drama at the Electoral Commission nomination centre in Masaka City after two aspirants of the National Unity Platform-NUP clashed for nomination for the same position.
Achilles Mawanda, the incumbent Masaka City Speaker, showed up for nomination for the position of direct City Councillor representing Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, but moments later, Maria Esther Mutesti also arrived in pomp claiming to be the official NUP flagbearer for the same position.
Mutesti arrived at the nomination centre with a group of jubilating supporters who were chanting NUP slogans, but her joy was cut short after she was informed that the party had sponsored Mawanda as the official candidate for the same position.
Despite presenting the list of candidates released by the party’s Election Management Committee, indicating her as the successful candidate, she was turned away at the nominations desk.
Hydary Joloba, the Masaka City Electoral Commission Returning Officer, noted that they had already received a nomination from Mawanda, who had accordingly presented forms that bore the party’s official stamp.
Although Joloba advised Mutesti to seek nomination as an independent candidate, she furiously stormed out of the nomination hall, castigating the party leadership for the disappointment.
She accused a clique of local NUP leadership of conniving with the Masaka District party Registrar to selfishly withdraw the ticket.
Mutesti, who was crying and cursing the NUP leaders in Masaka, noted that ever since her name appeared on the list of candidates, Francis Kibuuka, the Masaka City NUP has been dodging her.
Ronald Kasekende, the NUP candidate for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Chairperson, has called upon the party’s top leadership to rein in the situation in Masaka, which he says is being manipulated by a clique of selfish individuals.
He also indicates that the City NUP Registry has been patronised by some leaders who are swapping candidates to suit their selfish interests.
However, Achilles Mawanda, who was nominated in the NUP, indicated that the party’s Election Management Committee had made errors in the first list of candidates it released.
“The error was rectified, and the concerned parties were notified about the changes. In this communication that I also received and prepared for nomination,” he says.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
