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Minister Kasaija’s opponent withdraws from MP race, appointed UIA boss
Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, Matia Kasaija (left) has sailed through unopposed as the Buyanja West member of parliament in Kibaale District following the withdrawal of his sole opponent, Mr Paul Kyalimpa (right). PHOTOS. FILE
Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, Matia Kasaija has sailed through unopposed as the Buyanja West member of parliament in Kibaale District following the withdrawal of his sole opponent, Mr Paul Kyalimpa.
Mr Kyalimpa quit the race following his appointment as the deputy director-general Uganda Investments Authority (UIA). As a result, the Kibaale District returning officer, Mr James Aggrey Ipeto declared Kasaija unopposed upon reception of Kyalimpa’s letter.
“Please refer to the attached copy of the withdrawal letter and the declaration by the Returning Officer, of Hon Matia Kasaija as unopposed Member of Parliament for Bujanja County in Kibaale Electoral District,” reads part of Ipeto’s December 7 letter to the Electoral Commission Secretary.
“This is to submit to you, the details of the candidate who has withdrawn from the Electoral Office of Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Buyanja County in Kibaale Electoral District,” the letter adds.
Mr Kyalimpa contested in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections and lost to Kasaija who garnered 16,539 votes against 6,213 votes. He protested the poll results and decided to run as an independent candidate. He was appointed to the UIA second top office, according to a letter signed by President Museveni on November 24, 2020.
Buyanja County Constituency was divided into to create East and West. Dr Emily Kugonza, who was until then, the Chairman of the UIA Board, was declared unopposed in Buyanja East while Kyalimpa decided to fight for Buyanja West against Kasaija, who is also the line Minister for the UIA.
"My people of Buyanja,you have made a bold Statement,you have Spoken.Thank you so much for believing in me. I am ready to continue serving you diligently as your Member of Parliament for Buyanja County (2021-2026)," Minister Kasaija tweeted Monday evening.
The declaration of Kasaija, brings to nine the number of unopposed MPs from the ruling NRM party.
However, several political activists, including four time presidential contender, Dr Kizza Besigye, have questioned Mr Kyalimpa’s appointment given the fact that UIA is a body under direct supervision of the Minister of Finance who happenes Mr Kasaija.
“The post to which Kyalimpa is being appointed wasn’t established by the act, it’s been created for Kyalimpa!” Mr Besigye tweeted before describing the appointment as “criminal abuse of office.”
