Museveni’s Ministers Lose Seats

Veteran politician and ICT Minister, Aggrey Awori.

Ministers Aggrey Awori, Namirembe Bitamazire,  Isaac Musumba, Gabriel Opio, Beatrice Wabudeya, Gagawala Wambuzi and  Omara Atubo also found themselves out of parliament as they finally paid the price for the political sleaze that has debilitated this country.

Alintuma Nsambu was probably the highest profile scalp claimed by Buganda’s disgruntled voters as he crashed to an embarrassing defeat in his home constituency of Bukoto East.

Outside Buganda, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Kirunda Kivejinja was probably the highest profile government minister decapitated by the opposition FDC in Bugweri.

Mr Nsambu’s belittling of the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi and the Mengo establishment, particularly during the ‘Kayunga riots’ leading to the closure of CBS. Now voters have exacted revenge.

As well as his ignominy,  Nsambu’s condescending campaigning style – itself a liability – handed DP’s Florence Namayanja 15,196 votes, one of the biggest wins of the evening. Minister Alintuma Nsambu polled 12,927 votes.

Nsambu refused to talk to waiting journalists outside his home after the count, appearing visibly upset and fighting tears as he departed with his team that included among others ICT ministry mandarins, leaving in a waiting car.

Meanwhile, Nsambu’s senior, Minister of ICT Aggrey Awori lost in Samia-Bugweri.

In Busoga region, as well as Kirunda Kivenjinja, five ministers have been ousted off their parliamentary seats. They include; Nelson Gaggawala (trade), Isaac Musumba (regional cooperation), Aggrey Bagiire (Agriculture), and Fred Mukisa (fisheries).

Ugandans came in troves to cast their votes but the EC's poor organisation denied many their right to vote.

In Budadiri West, the NRM Minister of the Presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya felt FDC’s Nandala Mafabi’s remarkable feats of strength after hours of anxiety and tension. Mafabi retained his seat with 23,702 votes against Wabudeya got 9336 votes.

The State minister Tourism for Tourism and NRM flag bearer Mr Sarapio Rukundo has lost the Kabale Municipality seat to Mr Andrew Baryayanga, an independent candidate. Final results declared by the returning officer Kabale district, Iddi Kahwa, this morning showed that Baryayanga got 7868 votes while Rukundo got 5222 votes. In third position was Forum for Democratic Change candidate Wilfred Murumba with 3732 votes and Uganda Federal Alliance’s Francis Ahimbisibwe 061 votes.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Daniel Olara Otubo lost his Otuke County, Lira district seat.

State Minister for Regional Foreign affairs, Isaac Isanga Musumba lost his Buzaaya County, Kamuli district. Others ministers ousted include Gabriel Opio, Minister of Gender, State Minister for Trade and Antiquities Gagawala Wambuzi and Hope Mwesigye the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries who was outfoxed out of Kabale District Women’s Constituency seat.

Perhaps most surprisingly, speaker Ssekandi was re-elected as an MP in Bukoto Central after sidestep the Cultural leader’s bill backlash. Earlier reports had indicated that young Jude Mbabali had won the seat. The DP man now threatens to go to court, citing widespread malpractices including voter buying using Museveni’s million.

Another to breath a sigh of relief is Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, who held his seat in Busiro North today, beating off a challenge from the opposition. Mr Bukenya has faced criticism after claims that he mishandled CHOGM money, although he was quick to defend himself before parliament that he was only acting on president Museveni’s orders.

Perhaps the highest profile ‘non-sleaze’ scalp was Leader of the opposition in the house Mr Ogenga Latigo, losing his Agago County – Pader District seat.

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