JINJA – The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has nullified Dr Timothy Batuwa Lusala’s election as party’s flag-bearer for the Jinja South Division West constituency in next year’s general elections.
The cancellation follows a petition by FDC’c strongman Paul Kawanguzi who petitioned the party’s electoral commission citing voter bribery in the primaries held recently.
“We won the petition, and the bi-election was ordered. Thanks FDC for proving to the world that I was not making sheer allegations but whatever I said was true to the best of my knowledge and against the FDC constitution. We are studying the judgment with my legal team, and we shall update you on the way forward,” Kawanguzi said.
Jinja district FDC chairperson in an interview with PML Daily confirmed the development, saying that fresh elections will be organized on a date soon to be communicated.
“One of the candidates was not satisfied with the way the primaries were conducted and petitioned Najjanakumbi for redress. The election for the party’s flag-bearer for the Jinja South Division West has since been cancelled and fresh elections will be organized,” Abubaker Maganda, the FDC district chairperson, said in a telephone interview with this website.
Dr Batuwa said he is ready for the fresh elections, adding that he will defeat Kawanguzi again.
“He alleged that I gave a bunch of bananas to every delegate on Eid al-Adha, that I gave Shs200,000 and a Smartphone to each delegate. All this is hogwash and I can assure you I will defeat Kawanguzi seven days in a week and twice on Sunday,” Dr Batuwa said.
The biggest opposition party held its primaries for MP flag-bearers in Jinja where Dr Timothy Lusala Batuwa beat Kawanguzi to the party flag. Dr Batuwa garnered 48 votes against Kawanguzi’s 27 votes.
Kawanguzi rejected the results citing foul play and consequently petitioned the party’s electoral commission. In its ruling yesterday, the party’s electoral commission accepted Kawanguzi’s submission and cancelled the election.
Kawanguzi was incumbent Jinja West MP Moses Balyeku’s closest challenger in the 2016 general election, garnering 4,306 against Balyeku’s 6,102 votes.
