By KT Reporter
The Moroto district security committee has summoned aspirants in the NRM party primaries and their political agents to harmonise the joint campaign guidelines.
The summons follows the pronouncement made on Sunday by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, directing all the duly nominated candidates to conduct the joint campaigns. The campaigns officially kicked off on 1st July.
However, Moroto district security committee, chaired by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, on Wednesday summoned all the aspirants at all levels to the district chamber hall to harmonise with the guidelines before rolling out the joint campaigns
Samuel Justine Tuko, the Moroto Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said that every candidate was instructed to come along with two political agents for the meeting. Tuko said that the meeting was intended to ensure peaceful campaigns and to conduct free and fair elections without cases of bloodshed.
Tuko noted that although the candidates may comply with the guidelines, they have received numerous concerns about the unscrupulous political agents who are causing violence in the ongoing campaigns and during elections.
He also noted that some politicians are using cyclists for campaigns, and they are flooding the streets of the town without following traffic rules. He warned that they shall start arresting motorcycles, violating traffic rules and causing accidents in the town.
Tuko also said that they received reports of candidates ferrying non-voters from other locations into their respective areas to help them rig the elections.
He said that they have commenced investigations into the matter and warned those involved in the act to desist from the practice that will lead them to disqualification from the race.
Tuko also noted that some political agents had started tearing other opponents’ posters and pinning them on the signposts and road signages, while others have resorted to covering up the existing posters with theirs. He warned the candidates to manage their posters to avoid being caught by the law.
However, during the discussion, the aspirants raised concerns about tribalism, sectarianism, and intimidation taking up the centre stage of the campaigns.
Betty Amungang, the aspirant for the Moroto woman member of parliament, expressed her concerns about the continued intimidation by other political agents and the security agencies.
She said that she has been confronted by several leaders, including the civil servants, elders and other political agents.
She urged her opponents to exercise maturity in politics and speak about why she or he is the best candidate for the position rather than lamenting on others to buy favour.
Stella Atyang, the aspirant for Woman Member of Parliament, shared the same frustration of intimidation from the opponents and the agents.
Atyang also observed that the campaigns have also been tribalized based on the clusters, and yet they are all Karamojong communities.
She said that it is important for aspirants to mobilise their votes and make the voters understand the purpose of the contest, and not to lament about other opponents.
Ahamed Madiri, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Commander, said that they will be playing their role of protecting life and property during the elections through preventing violence and any election-related crimes.
Madiri said that they will be engaged in all the activities through the primary elections and their focus will be in five phases, which include preparations for primaries, election processes, polling period, training for the standbys, police deployment and policing the general election.
Madiri urged the aspirants to follow the guidelines during the election period because they shall be arresting all those who will be found breaking the law. He warned the politicians against bribery, intimidation and all forms of violence during the election period.
Madiri said that they are putting more focus on the cyber crimes that are on the rise as campaigns heat up.
So far, 5 candidates have been nominated to contest for the NRM flag bearer for the woman MP in Moroto district. The aspirants include Stella Atyang, Apio Lucy Chegem, Betty Amunyang, Bonisca Bonic Apuun , Dina Adupa Lorika, while Jeniffer Aleper has not yet picked up the nomination forms.
For the municipality, four candidates have been nominated, including Rose Mary Nate Locuku, Francis Adome Lorika, Pulkol Esther Angella Lochomin, and Fred Angella.
Meanwhile, John Baptist Lokii, Andrew Keem Napaja, and Akol Ceaser Abura have been nominated to run for the flag bearer Matheniko County. While in Tepeth county, Micheal Wilson Lokawa , Albert Lokoru, John Bosco Lokwang and Emmanuel Chero have expressed their interest in the same position-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
