NTUNGAMO – Rushenyi county parliamentary seat is one of the hotly contested in the country, having involved live bullets in the recently concluded NRM party primaries.
One of the candidates, Naome Kabasharira vowed to unseat State Minister for labour and Industrial relations Mwesigwa Rukutana who has served for 26 years now in the House.
It should be known that in U-turn results announcement, Kabasharira lost NRM party primary election to Rukutana by only 20 votes.
Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chairman, announced on September 23, 2020, that after a vote re-count, Rukutana was the eventual winner, with 25,310 votes.
Rukutana’s 25,310 represent 46.27.% beating his close rival Kabasharira who got 25,290 votes 46.23%.
However, addressing a presser shortly after being nominated, Kabasharira noted that the “Rushenyians” asked her to contest as an Independent candidate “because the people were unhappy after winning the NRM primaries and later after 10 days the results were changed.”
“The people of Rushenyi want change because Hon. Rukutana has been an area MP since 1994 to-date and as some one who has been a Cabinet minister he has not delivered much as expected,” Kabasharira said.
During the nomination, Kabasharira was proposed by Norman Beingana Kashereka and seconded by Counsel Justus Karuhanga a nephew to the 1st lady Mrs. Janet K. Museveni, as Mohammed Byabashaija Rwomushana, the Chairman LC3 Kayonza and Ex-Political Assistant to Rukutana signed as her Official/Chief campaign agent.
Rukutana was the first to access the nomination venue. He was proposed by Bob Kabonero and seconded by Ssemakula Katamba as Kenneth Nuwagira signed as his Official agent.
Speaking to the press, Rukutana said that he’s sure that he is going to win this election because the people of Rushenyi know the good things he delivered to them during his reign as Member of Parliament.
Others who were nominated include Dr. Benjamin Bimanywa-Ruhanga of Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). This was proposed by Gastone Biryomumaisho and Seconded by Zangiire Jacinta as Kansiime Enoch signed as his Official agent.
The fourth candidate is Kahumuza Eric (Independent) whose name was proposed by Nuwandinda Robert and seconded by Alfred Bariiyo Kabanza as Kamugira Elian signed as his Official agent.
