Uganda Peoples Congress party, one of the oldest political parties in the country has joined the race for positions in the eight newly created constituencies.
The party leadership on Thursday announced that it clear will front candidates in the forthcoming elections, except in Rukungiri district, where it will back FDC’s Betty Muzanira.
By-elections for the Rukungiri district Woman MP seat are slated for May 31, following a High Court ruling which ordered for fresh polls after Muzanira challenged NRM’s Winfred Matsiko’s victory.
Muzanira petitioned the High Court accusing NRM of bribing voters and giving donations during campaigns.
UPC spokesperson Andrew Osinde said the party is set to organize primaries in all other constituencies, to field capable members, who will win political positions in the new municipalities, town councils and sub-counties.
“But we shall work with other opposition groups to bring democratic change. However, as a party we dont believe in the defiance campaign championed by Dr. Kizza Besigye. For us, we prefer national dialogue,” he added.
The Electoral Commission announced that the elections in all other constituencies except Rukungiri, will take place between May and July.
The elections will be held in districts of Pallisa, Bugiri, Apac, Nebbi and Ibanda. Others are Sheema, Kotido and Njeru.
Some of the political positions to be filled in are the mayoral and Parliamentary and councillorship seats.
Councillors nominated will contest to represent parishes, districts and special interests groups.
Recently, the electoral body wrote to all major political parties to prepare candidates.
NRM, FDC in high preparation gear
NRM party and FDC have started the preparations. Starting next week, will organize primaries for its members who want to contest in the new municipalities.
According to Dr Tanga Odoi, the party electoral boss, the programme will start with the consultative meeting with stakeholders.
The NRM electoral commission, during the stakeholders’ meeting will announce the road map.
Next week, those interested to contest on the party ticket are expected to pick nominations forms, before Friday.
The party electoral body will then embark on updating voter’s register. Odoi said this will be done between April 23 and 28.
According to the press release Odoi released, candidates will be nominated at the party electoral commission headquarters on May 7, running up to 9 and after the campaigns will kick off.
Candidates will have joint campaigns, starting on May 10, running up to May 23. On May 25, Odoi said the party will organize the elections for members to vote their party candidates.
For FDC, Harold Kaija, the deputy secretary general of FDC they received the communication and the party is prepared to front candidates.
“It’s true, the Electoral Commission wrote to us and we are going to prepare our winning team,” Kaija said.
Sh6.7 budgeted
The Independent Electoral Commission announced last week that it will organize Parliamentary elections in the new municipalities on July 19.
About sh6.7b is budgeted for the elections in the seven municipalities. Other elective positions to be filled include the mayorship and councillorship.
EC demarcated electoral areas
In February, the EC demarcated electoral areas for Local Government councilors and reorganized polling stations in newly created municipalities, municipal divisions, town councils, sub counties, wards and parishes.
The electoral body said they aim to ensure that each electoral area has adequate number of polling stations to enable voters conveniently cast their votes.
