We are Set for Hoima Woman MP By-election-EC

By Johnbosco Tugume

The Electoral Commission (EC) says all is set for tomorrow’s Hoima Woman Parliamentary by-election.

This was revealed by Electoral Commission Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa immediately after delivery of election materials on Wednesday morning. "We are set, as you see the materials are already here. We are now briefing our field officers and working out modalities of distributing them to all the 266 polling stations,” he told journalists at EC offices in Kijungu, Hoima Municipality.

“We shall declare whoever wins,” he added. However, there are reports that the opposition intends to cause violence and also declare their candidate by all means. The race is between FDC and also joint opposition candidate Asinansi Nyakato and NRM’s Harriet Businge Mugenyi.

It’s been a peaceful campaign all through, apart from isolated incidents in which opposition supporters have clashed with police. Last week three supporters of the opposition candidate were arrested while holding what police called an illegal demonstration claiming security denial of media space to their candidate.

On Tuesday Police also clashed with Nyakato’s supporters led by Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi, as they marched through the streets of Hoima town. The Police accused the group of trying to block the way for the President who was heading to Booma grounds for the NRM candidate's grand campaign rally.

President Yoweri Museveni was in Hoima on Monday and Tuesday to rally support for the party’s candidate Harriet Businge. He attended other rallies in Kigorobya, Kitoba and Buseruka Sub counties. On the other hand, Kyagulanyi and other opposition politicians have since camped in the district to rally support for their candidate Asinansi Nyakato.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Western region and Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi has urged voters to turn up in big numbers to vote tomorrow. The General who is on ground assures people of a peaceful election. “People should turn up and vote without fear and intimidation,” he emphasized.

Hoima district parliamentary seat fell vacant last year after Woman MP, Tophas Byagira opted to represent the newly created Kikuube district. Kikuube district was carved out of Hoima.