Buyende, Uganda: Candidates in the Budiope East parliamentary race have dismissed as deliberate propaganda the circulating claims that incumbent MP, Hon Moses Hashim Magogo, is running unopposed, insisting that the Electoral Commission duly nominated five candidates and formally harmonised their campaign schedules.
The five nominated contenders are: Moses Hashim Magogo (NRM), Daniel Mulirire (Independent), Stephen Bangalana (Independent), Peere Rabin (PFF) and Resty Nsiro (Independent).
Addressing the media at Century Heritage Hotel in Kagulu, the candidates accused the Electoral Commission of setting a dangerous precedent by nominating candidates only to later attempt to “denominate them” on the basis of petitions and claims that should have been verified before nominations.
They questioned why the Commission was returning after the fact to raise issues of “missing papers” and “incomplete signatures” for individuals it had already vetted.
“We are getting jittery, suspicious and pushed to the wall enough to doubt the credibility and intentions of the Electoral Commission,” said Charles Galimaka, political talk-show host and Chairperson of the Greater Kamuli Media Association.
“When you nominate and declare candidates, you cannot turn around under the guise of petitions. It appears that where we are heading, money and influence matter more than democracy.”
Galimaka criticised what he called the growing monetisation of politics, warning that it erodes democratic values and public accountability.
Mulirire Rejects Rumours of Withdrawal
Independent candidate Daniel Mulirire, known widely as Uncle Dan, dismissed claims that he had withdrawn or been removed from the race due to non-compliance during nomination.
“One of the accusations is that I did not resign early enough,” he said. “We are here to pour cold water on the bogus claim, petition and malicious propaganda. I resigned from my job a year and a half ago and had resignation papers at nomination. It was never listed as a requirement in the forms.”
Mulirire also reaffirmed his political loyalty to First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, describing her as a mentor and a political icon in Busoga.
“We shall resist intimidation, political harassment and use of state machinery,” he said. “We remain loyal to Mama Kadaga and Mzee Museveni despite being independent candidates. That is no offence, it only offends some.”
By press time, EC were yet to respond on the matter and accusations slapped against them by the disgruntled candidates.
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