Minister Rukutana declared winner for Rushenyi County NRM primaries after beating rival by 20 votes
The NRM electoral commission has declared the State Minister for Labour, Mwesigwa Rukutana as the winner of the Rushenyi County elections in the ruling party primaries after re-tallying.
Earlier, this month, the Ntungamo NRM election officer, Maria Mirembe Baitwa, announced Kabasharira as the winner of the Rushenyi County NRM party flag having polled 24,006 votes against Rukutana’s 23,966 whereas Bob Karabayi got 2,266 votes, Nicholas Niwahereza had 1,202 votes and Norman Kashereka got 346 votes.
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However, Rukutana’s agents petitioned the electoral commission chairperson, on Dr. Tanga Odoi, who after hearing of their case ordered for a re-tallying of the votes.
On Wednesday, after a period 17 days, Dr.Tanga announced that Rukutana had won the election having polled 25310 votes against Kabasharira’s 25290 votes.
According to the results Bob Nahabwe got 2270 votes, Nicholas Niwahereza 129 votes, Elia Rwagara Mwesigwa 256 votes whereas Norman Kashereka Beingana came last with 350 votes.
“I therefore declare Mwesigwa Rukutana who has polled the highest number of votes representing 46.27% as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Rushenyi constituency Member of Parliament,” Tanga said at the NRM electoral commission headquarters in Kampala.
Consequently, Rukutana beat her rival and the Ntungamo Woman Member of Parliament, Naome Kabasharira by 20 votes after retallying.
Following the contested election on September , there was violence in which Rukutana was captured on video as he grabbed a gun from one of his bodyguards and is alleged to have shot and injured one person.
He was later arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Daniel Rweburingi, assault and causing bodily harm onto one of his victims, threatening violence and malicious damage.
He has since been released on bail.
Last week, Naome Kabasharira’s supporters were engaged in running battles with the Police and the army as they protested delays in declaring the results from the NRM party flag bearer for Rushenyi County parliamentary seat.
The NRM electoral commission chairperson said he had to visit the contentious Nyakahita village for a fact finding mission before declaring the final results.
"After tallying here, I visited Nyakahita village and interacted with 42 ladies, 16 men and eight drunkards who were still in their sense Even a drunkard can tell you what can tally or not. After interacting with them, I came back with an analysis,"Tanga said.
