Kayunga district returning officer, Ruth Nakachwa Kibuuka, has withdrawn from conducting the LC3 elections in the district following the concluded LC5 election exercise which turned chaotic after four losers who contested for the district chairperson attacked her and blocked the process of declaring the winner, Tom Sserwanga (Independent) whom they accused of involving in election malpractices.
Nakachwa’s withdrawal forced the Electoral Commission chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu to rush to Kayunga and hold a closed door meeting with leaders of political parties in the district and elected Members of Parliament at Hotel Katikomu on Tuesday to forge away forward.
Eng. Kiggundu announced the new returning officer, Henry Makabayi in the meeting, which lasted for about four hours and he will be responsible for conducting the LC3 elections.
The electoral commission public relations officer, Jotham Taremwa told journalists after the meeting that the main purpose of the meeting was to solve disagreements between leaders in the district that arose after the LC5 election exercise.
“Some people filed a petition against one of our staff, accusing her of taking sides and as a commission we had to come in to solve the problem,” Taremwa said, urging people of Kayunga to be calm and peaceful in the election period.
“I asked my bosses to withdraw from conducting the remaining electoral circle after being attacked as I declared results of the LC5 chairperson and they accepted my proposal,” Nakachwa said during an interview with New Vision, adding that the move was intended to give a chance to her critics to have someone else who will conduct the remaining elections.
Nakachwa denied allegations that she resigned from her position as the district registrar saying the allegations were baseless.
“There is a difference between withdrawing and resigning. During the meeting, the EC chairman Eng. Kiggundu made it clear that I still remain the district registrar though I am not going to perform the duty of the returning officer,” Nakachwa clarified scoffing at those behind the rumors that she is still in office.
The NRM district chairman, Moses Karangwa thanked the electoral commission for the changes made they are now assured that LC3 elections are going to be conducted in a free and fair election.
“We are now happy that the electoral commission has respected our petition because Nakachwa has been taking sides while executing her duties.” Karangwa said
However, state minister for Lands Idah Nantaba pleaded for Nakachwa said those against her do it because she is a straight forward person who does things in the right manner.
