NRM pledges to respect Tribunal ruling as Kikuube by-election looms

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has pledged to respect the Electoral Commission Elections Tribunal ruling on the Kikuube District LCV by-election as uncertainty surrounds the June 18 poll.

The assurance came from Dr. Rosemary Sseninde, NRM National Director for Mobilization, amid a legal challenge seeking to overturn candidate nominations.

The Electoral Commission nominated NRM-leaning candidate Paddy Kisembo and NUP’s Fenehansi Timanyire on May 26. But Philip Mbabazi Burnet, winner of the NRM primaries, petitioned the tribunal after failing to secure nomination for lacking required documents. The NRM then endorsed Kisembo.

Mbabazi alleges both Kisembo and Timanyire were irregularly nominated for using some of the same endorsers. The tribunal heard the matter Thursday and will rule next Wednesday, days before voting.

Speaking to NRM leaders at the RDC’s office Friday, Sseninde said the party will continue campaigning until the Electoral Commission says otherwise.

“As a party, we are continuing with the campaigns because the Electoral Commission has not stopped us and we have not been advised of any change in the election timetable. We are already behind schedule and must continue engaging voters,” Sseninde said.

She said NRM will abide by the tribunal decision.

“On Wednesday, whatever will be resolved, we shall listen to it because we are law-abiding citizens. What is important is to follow the law, and I believe the Electoral Commission will definitely follow the law,” she said.

Sseninde expressed confidence the tribunal would uphold the nominations, arguing the Electoral Commission acted within the law when it declined to nominate Mbabazi.

“I do not think the tribunal will overturn anything. The Electoral Commission declined to nominate our candidate because there were legal requirements that had not been fulfilled. We are not scared as a party,” she stated.

NRM leaders met to strategize for Kisembo’s campaign. Sseninde urged party supporters to unite and forget divisions from the primaries.

“I want to appeal to the people of Kikuube to unite and forget the past, even if they supported different candidates. Our campaign is going to be grassroots-based and the people of Kikuube themselves are going to lead it,” she said.

Kisembo dismissed fears the petition would derail his bid.

“I do not expect any turn of events from the tribunal because most of the issues raised do not hold water,” he said.

Kikuube RDC Godwin Angalia called for peace and warned against violence and voter bribery, saying security would be heavily deployed on election day.

Attention now turns to next Wednesday’s tribunal ruling, which will determine the final shape of the contest.

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