Ministers lose miserably as voters seek new blood in NRM primaries

Several ministers were on Friday trounced in the ruling National Resistance Movement elections to get the party flagbearers for  the forthcoming parliamentary election.

The elections conducted by lining up after the secret arrangement was rejected to ensure transparency and credibility of the electoral process saw several incumbents lose their seats to new blood.

Whereas the polls were marred by several incidents of violence in many parts of the country, in other areas it was a peaceful process.

Anite vs Dr.Ayume

The first minister to be trounced in the process was State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite, who lost to Dr. Charles Ayume for the Koboko Municipality seat.

Whereas Anite polled 7321 votes, they were not enough to counter Ayume’s 7414.

“Thank you for believing in me and the legacy of my father. You have spoken loud and clear. I am humbled by your trust in me. Thank you for the resounding victory. We have now overcome the first milestone in the journey,” Ayume said after he was declared the winner.

Anite conceded defeat but said the election was marred with irregularities including ferrying of voters.

“I have accepted (defeat) and wish everyone the best but one of my agent’s house was set ablaze. Voters were ferried from outside Koboko and could vote as many times as possible. I can only point out these malpractices. These elections should have postponed. If the right thing was done, I could have won,”Anite said.

Novice Kateshumbwa beats Elioda

In Sheema Municipality, former Commissioner for Domestic Taxes at Uganda Revenue Authority, Dicksons Kateshumbwa found it easy to trounce the incumbent, Minister Elioda Tumwesigye in the polls.

Minister Karooro trounced

In Bushenyi, Annet  Katusiime Mugisha, the wife to National Water and Sewerage Corporation Managing Director, Dr. Silver Mugisha trounced Minister, Mary Karooro Okurut .

The minister congratulated the winner and wished her the best in the forthcoming parliamentary election.

“I am calling for peace and calm. Whatever has happened, let us accept the results and when it comes to the general elections, I will go behind the NRM flagbearer,”Okurut said.

Kadaga, Ogwang sweep

In Kamuli, the incumbent and Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga cruised to victory, winning by 96% to carry the flag for the district woman MP slot.

Kadaga polled 11598 votes against her opponent, Deborah Mwesigwa’s 551.

In Ngariam county in Katakwi district, incumbent, and State Minister for Information and ICT, Peter Ogwang swept the votes with 89.5 percent of the votes going into his bag against his former aide now rival, Augustine Otuko’s 2466 representing a paltry 10.5 percent of the total votes.

Others

Although some newcomers found it easy to run and beat the incumbents, it was a challenge for others including Dickens Asasira at 2806 votes and Justus Bahati Kato, 5086 who lost miserably to Gender Minister, Frank Tumwebaze in the race for the party flag for Kibale East constituency in Kamwenge district.

In Rubaga North, Lands Minister, Beti Kamya emerged victorious with a landslide 90% win to carry the party flag in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Kamya polled 6164 votes against Brian Kusingura Tindgyebwa’s 671 and four votes for Dr.Isaac Lwanga Byangire in second and third positions respectively.

In Kampala Central, Cedric Babu Ndilima polled 26799 votes against  Baker Kyambadde’s 4363 and Issa Kato’s 2670 whereas  in Kassanda South, Simeo Nsubuga with 11011 lost to Michael Muhumuza with11173 votes.

Other ministers including  Christopher Kibanzanga(‎Bughendera County), Adolf Mwesige(Bunyangabu),Mwesigwa Rukutana(Rushenyi County), Molly Kamukama(Kazo Woman MP),Simon Lokodo(Dodoth West), Ephraim Kamuntu(Sheema South) and Eng.John Byabagambi(Ibanda municipality) were also trounced in their respective constituencies for the party flag.