FDC candidate hides as four are nominated for Ruhaama parliamentary seat

Four people have been nominated for the Ruhaama County parliamentary by-elections set for January 2018.

The seat fell vacant after the death of area MP Beijukye William Zinkuratire, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party.  Zinkuratire died on November 4.

Ntungamo District Returning Officer Robert Beine says four candidates were successfully nominated during the exercise that started on Monday at the Ntungamo district headquarters. The exercise ended Tuesday evening.

The nominated candidates include; Kahima Moses Mugabe of the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party and three independent candidates; Eng Jackson Kabeikire Mubangizi, Orishaba Vastin and Beinomugisha Penninah Jambo.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party got a set back when their candidate, John Bamutonda dashed off the nomination venue and refused to return.

According to the party deputy secretary general for research and policy, Dr Joseph Tindyebwa, Bamutonda developed cold feet after he received a phone call from an anonymous person towards the last process of nomination.

“Our candidate was complete with the process almost, I even have his fully paid receipts, but as he went towards the nomination table, he received a phone call from an anonymous number, jumped on a boda boda and disappeared,” Dr Tindyebwa said.

“I think the person who called him promised him money and other things, he just disappeared and is no where to be seen. We are working under intimidation and bribery here, this is our third candidate going through the same,” he said.

We tried to contact Mr Bamutonda, but his phone was unavailable.

Dr Tindyebwa said that the first candidate, a one Kenneth was also in the process but he was allegedly bought off and he declined the party flag.

The other candidate, Peter Byamukama was rejected after failing to present his original senior six certificates. Instead, Byamukama had presented photocopies of the certificate.

“We officially have no flag bearer in the elections. All our people have been either intimidated or bought,” Tindyebwa added.

Campaigns for the elections will start on December 15.