Sodo Kaguta Wins Hotly Contested Mawogola North Seat, Kutesa Appeals

BY PATRICK JARAMOGI

SEMBABULE, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| The celebration mood in Mawogola North may last for some weeks following the pronouncement of Aine Godfrey Kaguta aka Sodo, President Museveni’s younger brother as the NRM flag bearer for Mawogola North in a hotly contested election.

The NRM district returning officer, William Katokozi, declared Sodo winner with 17,343 votes while Nayebare polled 16,104 votes. Salim Kisekka trailed with just 4,274 votes.

Nyabera has however rejected the results and petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi.

Nayebare who has vowed not to seat until the truth comes out claimed the voting was marred with confusion and that there was no voting in six of her stronghold villages.

Elsewhere, in Mawogola West, Anifa Kawooya floored incumbent MP Joseph Sekabiito after she was declared the flag bearer with 15,923 votes compared to Sekabiito’s 13,143.

Speaking with pomp, laughter and tears of joy, Mary Begumisa who was declared the NRM flag bearer Sembabule Woman MP thanked the people of Sembabule for coming out to show their support in high spirit. Begumisa polled d 73,940 votes against Jovanice Twongeirwe’s 16,448 and Phoebe Arinitwe’s 11,011.

Addressing the press in Sembabule, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi who was on ground patrolling the entire polling stations warned those politicians who are geared towards intimidation. “I was so shocked when a senior citizen of this country whom I have respected for years called me warning me to cancel the elections again. I was on the ground and saw the will of the people, they were determined. No amount of money or guns would deter them,” said Odoi.

The entire district was cordoned off by a team of security personnel manned by the Uganda Police and UPDF. The Deputy Inspector General of Police Gen. Muzeyi Sabiti commanded the team.

Roadblocks manned by the Police and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) were set up along roads to Sembabule.     This was reportedly intended to prevent the importation of strangers.