Ugandans will elect municipal mayors today. In Apac, candidates Patrick Ongom Eyul of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), Bonny McLain Odongo of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, and Andrew Awany (Independent) – are vying for the seat.
Incumbent Ongom is seeking re-election, citing progress on projects like new roads under the World Bank-financed Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID).
‘During the eight years I have been in office we have registered a very fast development in Apac Municipality, and I need to continue,’ he said. Mr Awany pledged to ‘guard public resources and correct the messes,’ once elected into office while Mr Odongo has promised infrastructural development such as roads.
Businessman Patrick Otim of Agulu Division wants a leader who will address the sorry state of public schools and roads, among others. In Kumi, candidates include George Okurut (Independent), Julius Okello (NRM), Godfrey Oluka of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and John Bosco Emenyat (Independent). Mr Okello, who has been serving as deputy mayor, said he was ‘confident of victory on condition that the people who belief in me turn up to vote’. However, Mr Oluka said the Electoral Commission should ensure the people’s will prevails.
In Lira, Soroti, Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale, Hoima, Fort Portal, Masaka, and Arua cities, the mayoral elections will be held in the respective divisions. In Jinja, the EC has confirmed that it will use biometric voter verification (BVVK) machines in today’s polls. ‘These machines ensure that only eligible voters cast their ballots, and previous technical issues have now been resolved,’ said Ms Flavia Nakasi, Jinja City returning officer. According to Iganga returning officer Assey Nekesa, voters in the municipality will choose from 15 candidates contesting in the mayoral seat and the various council positions.
The Iganga municipal mayoral candidates are: Nasser Kongola (NUP), Grace Mivule (CMP), Sowedi Maganda (FDC), Michael Katumba Esagala (PFF), Asuman Dhabasadha (NRM), Wilberforce Mugonzi Wagoina (DF), Abubakar Kisambira (JEEMA) and Musa Ssengooba (Ind). Others are David Balaba (Ind), Enoch Ndhazuula (Ind), Taibu Khalifan (Ind), Sebata Fred (Ind), Kaziba Umar Wagoodo (Ind), Ngobi Paul (Indep), and Mawanda James Keith (Ind). Mbale City returning officer Micheal Arinatwe told Daily Monitor yesterday that everything was in place to ensure the polls are peacefully.
‘We call upon voters to turn up in large numbers and elect their leaders,’ he said. Among the candidates vying for Northern Division mayor seat include the NRM flag bearer, Mwanika George, Abdallah Magambo, (Ind), Chris Malinga Mbaga, (NUP) and Michael Jackson Kisolo, contesting as an independent.