As the race for who will take the contentious Ibanda Municipality seat rages on, swords have been drawn, support lines curved, and some politicians are in trouble.
TrumpetNews has learnt that Karamoja Affairs State Minister and Ibanda South MP John Byabagambi is in hot soup for fully backing TarsisRwabulindore for the NRM primaries well knowing he was a new entrant into the party, and was formerly linked to the FDC.
Rwabulindore beat NRM favourite Deusdedit Mulinde to the party slot sending the party in disarray as many NRM supporters including President Museveni preferred Mulinde who has always been a loyal NRM Cadre.
Why Byabagambi supported Rwabulindore
Ibanda has over the years been an NRM stronghold. Over the years, the President has appointed some prominent Ibanda residents to ministerial positions as a reward for the district’s support for the party.
The late Deo Rwabita who was the first Ibanda MP was once a minister for Rehabilitation, before later being appointed ambassador.
His predecessor John Byabagambi was also rewarded with ministerial appointments.
As the battle for who becomes the district’s opinion leader rages, Mulinde who was Ibanda Mayor reportedly said Byabagambi had not done much for the district.
Mulinde also failed to work comfortably with Byabagambi’s brother John Kajwengye who is the district LC5 Chairman and had been propped by Byabagambi.
Hearing what Mulinde had said, Byabagambi threw his weight on Tarsis Rwabulindore’s candidature to frustrate Mulinde.
Incidentally, Ibanda North MP Guma Gumisiriza and Ibanda Woman MP Joveline Kaliisa preferred to support Mulinde leaving voters scattered.
Divisions rein
With close of nominations Tuesday evening, and Mulinde not having submitted his papers leaving Rwabulindore in the race as voter favorite.
However, it is anticipated that Mulinde will be nominated by the Electoral Commission on grounds that the nomination process was marred with illegitimacy after Minister Byabagambi used his powers to halt the process on the second day.
When we spoke to the Electoral Commission publicity Jotham Taremwa about Mulinde’s nomination chances, he said if an aspirant produces evidence that convinces the electoral body then he can be nominated.
“But for the case of Ibanda I am not aware,” Jotham said.
