NRM Candidate Claims Mukono Speaker Seat Amidst NUP Majority and Bribery Claims

In a surprising turn of events at the Mukono Municipal Council, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has secured the speaker position, despite the National Unity Platform (NUP) holding a significant majority of seats. NRM’s Constantine Kanga garnered 13 votes in a secret ballot, narrowly defeating NUP’s Phibie Faith Babirye, who received 11 votes. This outcome defied expectations, given that NUP controls 17 out of the 23 council seats.

The election result has ignited a firestorm among NUP supporters, who are alleging that some of their own councillors may have accepted bribes and acted against the party’s interests. “I cannot believe NRM, with only six councillors, could win,” stated Alice Nansubuga, a NUP supporter, expressing disbelief and disappointment. She voiced concerns that “some of our NUP councillors took bribes and betrayed the voters who trusted them,” indicating a potential future re-evaluation of support for certain elected officials.

Mukono Municipality Mayor Robert Peter Kabanda echoed this sentiment, postponing the announcement of his executive committee. He expressed his “disappointment” and directly accused unspecified NUP councillors of “betraying the party and its president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.” While Kabanda offered no concrete evidence for these accusations, the defeat has cast a shadow over the NUP’s internal cohesion.

Local political figures are also weighing in, with Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze calling for civil servants to maintain political neutrality and focus on their professional duties. The election’s controversial outcome has intensified scrutiny on loyalty and voting practices within local government politics, raising questions about the strength of party discipline amongst NUP councillors. The election was presided over by Senior Magistrate Jacob Osiro of the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)