Democratic Party (DP) President, Norbert Mao (R) asked the party candidate in the Busia District LC5 by-election, Mr Deo Njoki to reject gov’t appointment in UHRC. (FILE PHOTO)
BUSIA– Democratic Party (DP) President, Norbert Mao has urged the party candidate in the Busia District LC5 by-election, Mr Deo Njoki, not to accept the government appointment to the Uganda Human Rights Commission, which he described as bait.
Mr Njoki, who is now the joint opposition candidate, having been endorsed by FDC, has in his letter dated November 10, 2018 addressed to the secretary general of his party, said if approved by Parliament; he would consider serving the country as a member of UHRC.
But Mr Mao, in a tweet on Monday, said Njoki risks losing his position in the party should he take up the position.
Mao said the development, which comes only two weeks to polling day, is nothing short of intrigue. He stated that for Njoki to consider the appointment by government would be “treachery”.
Mr Njoki on Monday evening denied quitting the race and explained that his letter was only informing his party about the government job.
Busia District seat fell vacant in May, 2018 after Court of Appeal in Mbale District threw out Mr Ouma Adea on grounds that had been convicted of corruption in 2013.
Mr Njoki is contesting alongside Mr Paul Boniface Oguttu, the flagbearer for National Resistance Movement party (NRM), Mr Chrispus Bwire, Mr Tony Ojambo and Geoffrey Wandera, all independent candidates,
But Mr Njokiin his letter dated November 10, 2018 addressed to the secretary general of his party, said if approved by Parliament; he would consider serving the country as a member of UHRC.
“If approved by Parliament, I would, as a citizen, consider serving my country as a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission,” his letter reads in part.
According to the letter, Mr Njoki, said the initiative to seek to serve as a member of Uganda Human Rights Commission was made way back before the program for the byelection for the office of chairperson, Busia District had been announced.
“On the 9th November 2018, I received a copy of a letter dated 8th November 2018 addressed to the Rt Hon Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, appointing me as a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commision,” he said in his letter.
He added, “The timing for the appointment, after the nominations are closed on the 7th November 2018, did not leave opportunity for the parties that sponsored and supported my candidature to nominate an alternative candidate. It was outside my control,” the letter reads further.
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