KAMPALA – The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has nullified the election of incumbent Luuka district chairperson Baker Luwangula as its flag bearer for the position of district chairperson and consequently handed the flag to his political nemesis Simon Wakaze.
In a letter addressed to the National Electoral Commission and signed by the NRM secretary general Kasule Lumumba, Wakaze was dully confirmed as the NRM flag bearer for the position of Luuka district chairmanship.
“In its final ruling delivered on Tuesday, 28th September, 2020, the NRM elections dispute tribunal nullified the election of Mr. Luwangula Baker and declared Mr. Wakaze Simon as the dully elected flag bearer for the position of chairperson, Luuka District Local government,” reads the letter in part.
Mr Wakaze won six of the eight sub-counties in Luuka district but was declared runner-up in the NRM primaries held on September, 11, 2020 with 28,000 votes against Luwangula’s 32,199 votes. He accused Luwangula of conspiracy to defraud him of the victory and consequently petitioned the NRM electoral commission which ruled in his favour.
Addressing his supporters after his nomination as NRM party flag bearer on Thursday, Wakaze read out the letter to a cheering crowd and promised to floor Luwangula in the general election.
A visibly dejected Luwangula castigated the SG Lumumba for declaring his rival the NRM flag bearer and promised to go back to the people.
“This is what our party, the NRM is doing. Declaring two flag bearers for the same position; one declared by the party electoral commission and the other by the party secretary general,” said Luwangula.
Luwangula has been at the helm of the district since 2016.