NRM Dokolo councilors consider support for an independent candidate

Dokolo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | National Resistance Movement (NRM) District Councilors are considering supporting an independent candidate for the upcoming by-election in Dokolo district if the party does not pay money which was due to them during the 2021 General Election.

It is alleged that over 80 million Shillings which was meant to facilitate party flagbearers for the district council and youth, disability and women leagues in February 2021 was never disbursed to the beneficiaries.

Each of the candidates was entitled to a sum of one million Shillings and has been demanding the payments from the party in vain. The issue came to light again during the NRM Expanded District Delegates conference held on Saturday at Dokolo Technical Institute.

Tony Odongo, the chairperson of the NRM Caucus says that in view of the develpement, the District councillors and sub-county leaders are opting to support an independent candidate if their demand is not met.

However, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the NRM Deputy Secretary General said that the Saudi money was released from the party treasury back then and can only be traced to the district. She cautioned the leaders against using the by-election as an opportunity to hold the party hostage.

She also rallied the councillors to drop the act and canvas votes for the NRM flagbearer in the by-election as efforts were made to pay them.

Felix Okot Ogong, the Dokolo North Member of Parliament said the By-election is complex and advised the party to send financial support directly to village teams.

On the other hand, Rosemary Seninde, the NRM Director for Mobilization described independent-NRM-leaning candidates as “rebels” and warned party supporters in Dokolo to avoid a repeat of the Oyam By-election.

She says that supporting the other NRM supporters contesting under independent tickets will create an opportunity for the opposition party to win the by-election.

After listening to Seninde, Beatrice Abang, one of the independent-leaning candidates who is also the District NRM Chairperson stepped down and offered to support the flag bearer.

However, Irene Amongi Ajwika, one of the independent candidates reiterated her interest saying she was contesting to represent the people of Dokolo, not the NRM party.

There are still four other independent NRM-leaning candidates in the race to replace the late Cecilia Atim Ogwal.

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