IGANGA–Iganga district is one step closer to finding a replacement for their Woman Member of Parliament three months after the incumbent died suddenly.
Late yesterday Brenda Asinde Suubi was chosen by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as party flagbearer in the coming by-election.
Asinde who was runners-up in last year’s general election, defeated 10 opponents to bag the NRM party card. She polled 46,599 votes (about 46 per cent of the total votes cast). She was followed by Asha Babirye who came a distant second with 23,546 votes (about 23 per cent).
While announcing the winner of the hotly contested primaries, Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chair, warned the contestants against disunity.
He asked them to rally behind Asinde, also known as Mama Maadi, a nick-name given to her because of her tireless efforts in equipping villages in Iganga District with water.
The Iganga District Woman MP seat fell vacant following the death of Kaudha Hailat Magumba who succumbed to pregnancy–related complications in May. Her sister, Babirye had sought to replace her but the NRM electorate preferred Mama Maadi, who many claim was rigged out in the previous election.
Asinde will face the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer Mariam Nantale, among other candidates, in elections scheduled for September 15.