Bugisu District NRM Chairpersons Retain Seats, Except in Bududa
By;Weswa Ronnie
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairpersons in various districts across Bugisu yesterday Friday retained their seats, with the exception of Bududa District.
In Sironko District, Haj Sulaiman Lumolo Mafabi retained his seat with over 800 votes after his closest rival, Minister for Karamoja Affairs Florence Nambozo, inexplicably fled the voting venue over unknown reasons.
Jane Nabukwasi was elected as Vice Chairperson, while Dison Balayo became the Treasurer and Rose Nandunga took on the role of Publicity Secretary.
In Bulambuli District, Paulo Kimamati retained his position with 555 votes, beating his closest rival, Mudim Wamakuyu, Member of Parliament for Elgon County, who polled 364 votes. Mark Baraaza was voted as Vice Chairperson after polling 259 votes.
Aramazani Wabuko retained his position as NRM Chairperson in Namisindwa District with over 500 votes. Charlise Nasimolo retained his position as Vice Chairperson, while John Musila, Member of Parliament for Bubulo East constituency, was voted as Publicity Secretary after his challenger, Emma Bwayo, pulled out of the race during voting time.
The election in Manafwa District was tense, but incumbent Chairperson Charlise Walibwa Peke managed to retain his seat with over 600 votes, beating his rival Jabie Bukene, who garnered 320 votes.
During election Bukene pulled out of the election, accusing Walibwa and his team of violence and intimidation which Walimbwa denied during an exclusive interview with our reporter.
Rather , Walibwa accused Bukene who bribed voters with lots of cash after being backed by the former minister for Karamoja also doubling as Manafwa district woman member of parliament Gorret Marry Kitutu.
In Mbale City, John Wambongo Wekesa, the acting NRM party city chairperson, was reinstated.
In Mbale District, Moses Wambongo, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, won the chairperson seat with 159 votes.
In contrast to the other districts, Bududa District saw a change in leadership, with George Koloto winning the chairperson seat with 485 votes, beating incumbent Stephen Wachaya, who garnered 293 votes.
Wilson Watiri, the former LCV Chairperson of Bududa, attributed Koloto’s victory to protest votes, citing public discontent over irregularities in previous party elections.
The Resident District Commissioner of Sironko, Denis Ephraim Balwaniregha, congratulated Lumolo on his victory, praising the election process as free and fair.
The newly elected chairpersons in Manafwa, Bulambuli, and Sironko districts pledged to reconcile with the losers and work together for the good of the party, promising to mobilize votes for President Museveni and the NRM party in the next general election.
