Two kicked out as 49 battle for NRM youth MP flags

This will be the first time older persons getting special representation in Parliament after the House recently reviewed representation ahead of the 2021 general elections.  

With the Youth MP Flag bearer race attracting over 50 contestants, the party’s Electoral Commission has denominated two over issues related to their age being contested while two others voluntarily withdrew.

In a statement dated October 6 and signed by the Vice Chairperson of the NRM-EC Mr John Arimpa Kigyagi, the two denominated contestants are Mr Abdul George who was seeking the flag for Northern region Youth MP and Ms Mercelina Busomoke the contender for the National Youth MP.

“The candidates who were denominated from the race are Abdul George (Youth Northern) and Busomoke Marcelina (Youth National). Fellow contestants are therefore accordingly informed,” the statement reads in part.

Also two contestants for the Central region Youth MP Flag bearer race withdrew their candidature.  Mr Kigyagi did not reveal the reasons for the withdrawal of Mr Kalim Abdu Ziritwala and Ms Sharifah Birungi.

Much as the statement did not reveal the reasons for the denomination of Mr Abdul and Ms Busomoke, the former had his age contested shortly after being nominated by the party.

Ms Busomoke while speaking to Daily Monitor yesterday insisted that she was not denominated as a result of any petition but she withdrew her candidature having made mind to run as an Independent candidate.

“I was not denominated for such reasons but I wrote a letter to the Chairman Electoral Commission withdrawing my candidature. I decided to contest as an Independent for my own reasons” Ms Busomoke said.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Abdul were futile as his known telephone contact was switched off by press time.

Mr Abdul’s candidature was contested in August by Mr Patrick Odongkara a youth from Northern Uganda alleging that he participated in the party primary elections in 2015 when he was aged 29. The up limit cap for the Youth MPs is 30.

“The respondent earlier in 2015, secured nomination and contested for the NRM flag bearer, Youth MP elections for Northern Uganda at all material times uttering and declaring, inter-alia his date of birth as October 6, 1986” Mr Odongkara’s petition reads in part.

This newspaper has learnt that there was a hearing by the NRM legal team and a decision was taken that Mr Abdul was over aged to run for the office of Youth MP.

Meanwhile, Ms Norah Robinah Akwi who is seeking the flag for the National Youth MP has been left off the hook after the petition against her age by Mr Saad Ssengendo an NRM youth from the Central region was overturned.

Ms Akwi who on July 12 resigned her job at the National Identification and Registration Agency (NIRA) before she resigned to contest in the 2021 elections welcomed the decision of the party saying the petition was “engineered by malicious people”.

“I was happy to receive the official statement sent to candidates by the NRM Electoral Commission showing that I am one of the candidates to be voted for on Saturday. I thank God because the lies in the petition were exposed though no copy of the verdict has been shared. I call upon all the youth leaders eligible to take part in the elections to vote for me” Ms Akwi said.

Ms Akwi and five others are battling for the NRM flag to contest for the National Youth MP seat that is going to be vacated by Ms Anna Adeke who was elected as an Independent candidate. Adeke is running for the Soroti District Woman MP on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket.

There are four candidates tussling for the NRM flag for the Northern region Youth MP seat that is being vacated by Mr Oscar Omony.

The race for the flag for the Central Youth MP, Western Youth MP and Eastern Youth MP has attracted the highest number of contestants with 12, 13 and 14 respectively. The current Youth MP for Western region is Mr Mwine Mpaka who is now a flag bearer for Mbarara City North. Eastern region is represented by Mr Isma Mafabi and the Central region is represented by Ms Sarah Babirye Kityo.

Mr Israel Joshua Akandwanaho a contestant for the Western Youth MP flag said that the campaign has been peaceful as each one met the delegates at the district level while observing the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health in the fight against Covid-19.

“I am hopeful because the voters in the different districts said they bought into my agenda. Our campaigns were peaceful and I hope the elections become peaceful too” He said.

The voting for the Youth MP and the Older Persons MPs will be conducted at district level by lining up while the Workers MPs and PWDs MPs flag bearers will be elected through resolution by circular during meetings of the different unions.

List of candidates for Youth MPs

National

Akwi Norah Robinah

Mutesi Oliver

Muhooza Desire

Nyamutoro Phiona

Asingwire Esther

Musimenta Gwendolinn

Central region

Nanseko Joanita Makonzi

Kiberu Abdul Malik

Kirabo Agnes

Nameere Justine

Mujjuzi Frederick

Mabingo Sharif Hakim

Safari Felix Kayihura

Nakibuule Mastullah

Semambya Allan

Sserunkuma Timothy Victor

Namono Rachael

Bagenda Happy John

Northern --------4

Ekol Joshua Mandela

Rubangakene Simon

Obindu Jackson

Okot Bonifance Henry

Western region

Tushabe Agnes

Muzamuzi Edwin

Tugume Ronald

Akandwanaho Joshua Israel

Murungi Gwenny

Ariho Mark Baitwababo

Naturinda Elijjah

Rugumayo Edson

Mpeirwe Chriscent

Mwesigwa Patrick

Ainesasi Hillary

Gumaho Igumira John

Muhondongwa Elemia

Eastern region

Gesa David

Otim Enock Okanya

Romeo Mabandha

Natwaluma Derick

Taliwaku Andrew Julian

Arikos Peter

Namukose Mpongo Sarah

Otekat Moses

Kristian Kibuuka Mark Derick

Mwindu Noah Samuel

Balunywa Aliza Sumaya

Wetungu Richard

Erinu Samuel Ekaju

Mugude Mike

Wanyama Judas Thadeo