The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, has dismissed reports that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is bribing candidates from opposition parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), to quit parliamentary and local government races, saying those crossing to the ruling party do so out of personal choice rather than financial inducement.
‘I want to thank you for joining National Resistance Movement (NRM) without being given money as people say. We don’t buy people to join NRM; people make personal decisions,’ Mr Tayebwa said. He urged the defectors to mobilise votes for President Museveni, noting that many of them had previously been NRM coordinators in their respective areas.
Mr Tayebwa made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing more than 250 former opposition coordinators and candidates from Kyenjojo, Bunyangabu and Bundibugyo districts who had reportedly defected to the NRM. He also appealed to voters in districts such as Kyenjojo, which has a high number of registered voters but low turnout, to come out in large numbers to vote on January 15.
During the meeting, three opposition parliamentary candidates announced their withdrawal from the race: Mr George William Musabe (Mwenge South), Mr Ashimeal Mbago (Mwenge Central), and Ms Jenifer Kabasinguzi, who had been contesting for the Bundibugyo District Woman Member of Parliament seat. Several other candidates, including sub-county chairpersons, councillors and NUP coordinators from Kyenjojo, also declared their withdrawal.
Following these withdrawals, the Mwenge South race now has the NRM candidate Ms Kamuli Kutesa competing against Mr Byamukama James Kwebiha (Independent) and Mr James Kalija (FDC). In Mwenge Central, NRM’s Kasukali Misusera remains in the race alongside Ms Doreen Nyajura (PFF) and Mr Patrick Sisa (Independent).
Earlier, two candidates in Mwenge North-the incumbent David Muhumuza (Independent) and Mr Shimiye Clod Araali (Independent)-also withdrew, leaving a two-man contest between Mr Innocent Natikunda Bitariho (NUP) and Mr Lawrence Akugizibwe (NRM).
Similar withdrawals have been witnessed in Fort Portal City and Kabarole District. These include Mr Kahwa Kasegerwa (NUP), who was contesting for Mayor of Central Division, Fort Portal City; Mr Ronald Muhumuza (NUP), who was vying for Burahya County; and Mr Richard Rwabuhinga (Independent), who was also contesting in Burahya. Ms Lillian Kobugabe (Independent) withdrew from the Kabarole District Woman MP race, leaving NRM’s Pamela Kirungi unopposed.
Explaining his decision, Mr Musabe said NUP failed to financially support him during the campaigns, yet he was facing personal challenges. He said after meeting Mr Tayebwa, he was promised employment and solutions to some of his personal problems.
‘NUP made me known, but after my concerns were addressed by NRM, I saw no reason to remain,’ Mr Musabe said, adding that over 40 jobs for youths were promised during the meeting.
Ms Jenifer Kabasinguzi also cited lack of financial support from NUP as the main reason for her withdrawal, saying campaigning requires resources.
‘Without money, even your agents can be bought and you lose an election. I also needed a job, and I have been promised one. My future will be okay,’ she said.
However, Mr Davis Rwamuhumbu, the head of the NUP campaign task force for the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions, said the alleged strategy by the ruling NRM to entice opposition candidates would not weaken the party, insisting instead that NUP was growing stronger.
He said that out of 31 constituencies in the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions, NUP issued party flags to 29 aspirants, but only 17 were successfully nominated. Of these, only four parliamentary candidates have since defected to the NRM, while 13 remain in the race.
‘It is true that four of our MP candidates have defected, but our supporters are still there and will vote for us. The money being used to buy individuals should instead be invested in industrial parks and road infrastructure, which are the real needs of the people of Tooro,’ Mr Rwamuhumbu said.
He added that in the Tooro sub-region alone, NUP nominated 148 councillors at sub-county and district levels. In the Rwenzori sub-region, he said Kasese District had 412 party flag bearers, of whom 200 were successfully nominated as councilors and sub-county chairpersons. Ntoroko District has eight councillors, while Bundibugyo District has three sub-county chairpersons and 16 councillors who have not defected.
Mr Rwamuhumbu further noted that some candidates who have publicly announced their defection to the NRM will still appear on the ballot paper.
‘These are still our candidates legally, because the party secretary general has not written to the Electoral Commission to notify them of their withdrawal. They were nominated under the NUP ticket,’ he said.
Mr Innocent Natikunda Bitariho, the NUP coordinator for the Tooro sub-region and Mwenge North candidate, acknowledged that financial challenges contributed to the defections, attributing them to the party’s failure to receive IPOD funding.
‘Buying candidates is not a solution. Next time, we shall conduct thorough ground checks before issuing party cards,’ he said, adding that despite the defections, NUP’s presence in the region remains strong as many supporters still want change.