FDC's Mwiru wins Jinja East by-election
- Written by The Observer Team
Forum for Democratic Change candidate Paul Mwiru has been declared winner of the Jinja East by-election by the Electoral Commission.
In a poorly attended election, Mwiru polled 6,654 votes against NRM's Igeme Nabeta who polled 5,043 votes. Mwiru said he entered the election with a loss of over 2,000 votes in reference to the alleged 2,000 ghost voters on the registry and the over 8,000 pre-ticked votes that were allegedly confiscated from Nabeta's camp.
Thousands of pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of the NRM candidate, Nabeta, were discovered from Iganga Road Junction polling station, according to election watchdog, Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU).
Electoral Commission spokesperson, Jotham Taremwa later in a statement disowned the pre-ticked ballot papers, saying on scrutiny, the electoral body verified that the serial numbers of those ballot papers were not from the Electoral Commission.
The by-election was occasioned by a court ruling that nullified Nabeta's 2016 election victory on grounds that he connived with the Electoral Commission to alter results at Danida A-D polling station which put him at an advantage.
The by-election attracted eight candidates but the real contest was between NRM's Nabeta and Paul Mwiru of the FDC.
Other candidates included Faisal Mayemba, Francis Wakabi, Christine Monica Abuze, Paul Mugaya and Hatim Isabirye Mugendi.
Mwiru claims about 500 of his voters were arrested ahead of the polls. He dedicated the win to those arrested voters, saying his victory is a win against the EC, police, army who worked together to fail him.
Comments
[That is my personal prediction of the future of Uganda]. This particular result is itself very significant because it is the "common" Soga speaking very clearly to Madam Speaker & her Boss. [I am sorry for the use of that word COMMON. I guess you get what I mean. I mean no malice to fellow Ugandans, the Dear Soga].
& the message behind all this , Together we are a formidable force next none .
History is always made by a tipping point and not always what everyone expect. Don't always undermine the victory of the so-called underdogs.
This FDC victory has proved how far Ugandans are fed of this barbaric regime. Its high time for those hanging around this fruitless leadership to consult their conscience.
Undoubtedly, the concluded Jinja East constituency concluded poll is a great case in point for the entire national political landscape countrywide.
The ''kogikwatako!'' paraphrase has started taking its real shape.
Imagine the great slap in the NRM face after the entire ruling party machinery unleashed all its staff, chairman inclusive, on the Jinja East campaign.
Look at them dancing and giggling their heavily fed body parts on the rallies. See all the partisan army and police deployment to harass opposition voters.
The unimaginable ballot stuffing, arrest of opposition voters, and all that uncalled for nonsensical manouvres by our rulers. We pray for divine intervention.
If the other parties had fielded candidates then chances are he would not have won.
This should be a lesson for the likes of Mao and FDC should also return the favour
Is this not a pointer for us to desist from organizing the referendum