As the NRM caucus prepares to vote for 6 representatives to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) tomorrow at Entebbe State House, one of the contestants Michael Mpeirwe Katungi has withdrawn from the race.
Katungi, disappointed his supporters earlier today when he issued a communication through social media platform Facebook announcing his withdrawal after thorough consultations and guidance from the party chairman President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“Following the guidance of the National Chairman & His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during the recent CEC meeting; I have decided to withdraw my candidature in the hope that the greater good for Uganda, East Africa & Africa shall for now be best served by me remaining out of the East African Legislative Assembly and continuing my contribution in line of my professional service,” said Katungi.
Adding that, “this is obviously a bitter sweet moment. I am leaving a race in which I interacted with, engaged & persuaded an overwhelming number of Members of Parliament of Uganda to agree with my views about the need for fast tracking of the political federation and deepening the defence & security architecture among other priorities.”
“I shall always remember the overwhelming support I got from Members of Parliament for my candidature. I am aware that this will be greatly disappointing to them.”
He thanked Museveni for his continued commitment & guidance towards Regional & African Interests.
Katungi’s exit leave 42 candidates tussling out as only 6 will be selected.
Some candidates have already expressed worries that tomorrow’s polls will be marred with bribery and chaos.
Mary Mugyeny told journalists yesterday that it is regrettable that commercialization of politics has crept up on the current Parliament.
“It’s true, I have heard claims that some of my fellow contestants are bribing MPs to vote for them and am worried,” Mugyenyi said in her first press conference.
“Some people use money to overshadow their incompetencies. In the end, we might end up sending the wrong representatives because of money” She added that; “during our time in the 7th and 8th Parliament, bribery was unexpected.”
Uganda has only 9 spots in the EALA, six of which are for the ruling party, two for the opposition parties and one for the independent candidates.
The main voting exercise is slated for 27th at Parliament.