Just as the National Resistance Movement Primaries (NRM) prepared for the By-Election in the Kiryandongo District, in the county of Kibanda North. The July 2017, the primaries was filled with irregularities in favor Taban Idi Amin, who won it for the second time in two years. The one running against him could have taken this to court, but Sam Amooti Otada Owor sent an injunction into the High Court in Masindi. Clearly, this didn’t go well, since on the 9th August 2017. The other candidate and second placed in Kibanda North Otada Owor notified the Electoral Commission he withdrew his candidacy, the day before the 10th August, when the By-Election appeared.
Even if the Primaries still states like this:
“The NRM Primary Declaration Form 14th July 2017 says that Taban Idi Amin won with 12,812 votes and had 73,6 percentage, while in second Sam Amooti Otado Owor got 2,761 votes and 15,9 percentage. In third and last George Maiteki Baitera Bigirwa got 1,472 votes and 8,5 percentage. While the total annulled votes are 367 and 2.1 percentage. Where the total votes of the whole Primary election we’re 17,412 votes and a 100 percentage” (Minbane – ‘Kibanda North County – NRM Primaries filled with irregularities as Tanga Odoi’s Declaration Form shows!’ 16.07.2017, link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/httpwp-mep1xtjg-540/ ).
Clearly, Taban Idi Amin’s Primary election was flawed when the sheets and forms are so shady, the records for the electorate and the history will be remembered for the irregularities, not for a free and fair internal-party election.
Why you suddenly didn’t hear anything about the By-Election, since Sam Amooti Otado Owor did back-down on the 9th August, the need for casting ballots was pointless. There was no other candidate standing in the way of Taban Idi Amin. He could walk back to Parliament without having the ballots cast and counted through electoral process. The Electoral Commission said it wasn’t needed. That is why the whole By-Election has suddenly disappeared, because their was no competition. Not like it ever was, since the NRM Electoral Commission had handpicked Taban Idi Amin and wanted his candidacy, as their forms was a charade of facade and not a real deal.
So on the 10th August, the Museveni preferred candidate got his blessings, as the NRM was alone in the race, the were non UPC, DP, FDC, UFA or Independent that gave Taban any race. Therefore, no need for ballots and by-election. Just swearing-in and getting it over with. There was some reporting that Museveni forgave Otoda Owor over his rebellion against the party. Even if it was justified. Still, this made it easy to get another crony and stooge in the Parliament. Peace.
MinBane 