BUGIRI- The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has asked voters in Bugiri Municipality to either vote the ruling NRM party candidate if they can’t opt for FDC’s Eunice Namatende.
This was revealed Saturday July 14, in an open rally at Naluwerere village by Mr Harold Kaija, the deputy party spokesperson urging voters not to patronize Jeemas Asuma Basalira.
“You have two options, you either choose NRM or FDC, and there is no middle ground. If you can’t vote FDC’s Namatende, voter the NRM,” Kaija urged voters ahead of Bugiri by-election slated Friday July 27.
The election has pitted the oppositions against each other after both FDC and JEEMA failed to reach a consensus on a single candidate for the 27 July polls leading to bickering among many opposition figures to back the party candidate Ms Namatende.
The country is likely to witness a replay of Kyadondo East by-elections which saw the Opposition sharply divided between Robert Kyagulanyi (BobiWine) and Apollo Kantinti. Kyagulanyi won the Parliamentary seat.
He got support from Democratic Party and some FDC members. The entire FDC leadership backed Kantinti, who was fighting to retain the seat.
In 2016, Mr Basalirwa, a senior lawyer, vied for the Bukoli North parliamentary seat but lost. He however, had garnered the highest number of votes in Bugiri Municipality which has been carved off Bukoli North, which gives him a big chance.
Inside sources in FDC believe that Mr Basalirwa also enjoys the support of some party members, especially those loyal to former president Mugisha Muntu. He also enjoys support among DP members.
Ms Namatende and Basalirwa will face off with several other prominent politicians in the by-election, including John Francis Okecho of National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Bugiri Municipality, which was curved from Bukooli County, has four Wards namely; Naluwerere, Nkusi, Ndifakulya and Bwole with 27 Villages in total. The election is set for July 27.
