NRM Bigwigs Drum Up Support For Kwizera, Orone After Successful Bukimbiri, Gogonyo Byelection Nominations

Top leaders in President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) held mega rallies during which they canvassed support for Derrick Orone and Eddie Kwizera Wagahunga, the two party members who were nominated as candidates in the Gogonyo and Bukimbiri by-elections, respectively.

Kwizera and Orone were nominated in an exercise that lasted two days in both Kisoro and Pallisa. The nomination exercise ended on Tuesday, August 02, paving the way for campaigns ahead of voting on August 11.

It should be remembered that Bukimbiri and Gogonyo parliamentary seats fell vacant following the nullification of the election of those who were holding the seats since 2021. The Court of Appeal ordered the Electoral Commission to conduct fresh elections in the two constituencies.

BUKIMBIRI’S KWIZERA

NRM party bosses in Kisoro where Eddie Kwizera was nominated for Bukimbiri byelection

On their nomination, both Orone and Kwizera were in company of powerful NRM bosses. Kwizera was declared by Kisoro District Returning Officer Denis Nayebare as having been duly nominated at 1pm on August 02, becoming the fourth candidate to be nominated. Present during Kwizera’s nomination exercise were: NRM First National Vice Chairman Alhajji Moses Kigongo, Deputy National Treasurer Jacqueline Kyatuhaire, Youth and Children Affairs Minister Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, and NRM Director for Communication and Public Relations Emmanuel Dombo Lumala.

Kwizera was glad that the NRM had entrusted him to become the party candidate in the parliamentary race for Bukimbiri. He assured the party bosses and all his supporters that, with their continued support, he would deliver the much desired victory.

After his nomination, Kwizera, who described himself as a performer whose record is well known, addressed thousands of supporters that made their way to Rubuguri Town Council Grounds where his first mega rally was held.

He promised his enthusiastic supporters great transformation, saying he and the NRM government will inject cash into their economic activities as a way of enhancing productivity and eradicating poverty. He also assured his supporters that NRM will tarmac tourism roads.

Kwizera was also excited that the NRM had chosen him as the ruling party’s candidate for the Bukimbiri byelection. He further told the people of Bukimbiri to reward the NRM by voting him since his and the party’s credible record of service delivery, peace, development and unity was well known.

“I am privileged to be associated with the NRM fraternity. It is my home and I am highly indebted to you to deliver victory on the polling day,” he said.

“I request for support to ensure that the unfinished business of the people of Bukimbiri County is accomplished.”

MOSES KIGONGO CAMPAIGNS FOR KWIZERA

Addressing NRM supporters, Alhajj Kigongo said the ruling party led by President Yoweri Museveni is the only option to people’s problems. He further dismissed rivals, especially independent candidates, who he described as untrustworthy and ungrateful to the party in government.

The vice chairman equally called on voters not to choose individual or independent candidates but rather the NRM party which has better ideas than others.

“The movement has, since its inception, fronted the priorities of ordinary people. It ushered in decent politics of respect and issue-based campaigns without the sectarian lines that characterized past regimes,” said NRM’s second-in-command.

Jacqueline Kyatuhaire, the NRM deputy national treasurer, called for peace and calmness among voters, emphasizing that community peace is equally fundamental.

“The by-election will come and go, but Bukimbiri is here to stay. “I pray that you respect one another and ensure there is harmony during the entire campaign process and even after elections,” Kyatuhaire pleaded with the electorate.

GOGONYO NOMINATION

After his nomination, Orone addressed his energized and excited supporters at Gogonyo sub-county grounds.

Orone was accompanied by NRM secretariat officials including Rosemary Seninde (director mobilization), Hajat Medina Naham (director Finance and administration), Counsel Oscar Kihika (director Legal), and Rogers Mulindwa (senior manager for communication and public relations).

Orone promised to come up with incoming generating projects if elected, as a way of improving the standards of living of his voters.

“I have a clear-headed program to deal with the unemployment challenge of our youth and the poverty among the men and women in this area,” Derrick Orone said as he campaigned at his nomination rally.

Seninde, who is commanding the NRM Brigade pushing for the election of Orone in Pallisa, said the ruling party was ready and determined to reclaim victory in the Gogonyo Parliamentary poll.

“I implore every one of us here to join our campaign trail as we traverse all villages to converse support for the ruling party candidate. All of us bear the responsibility of sacrificing for the sake of NRM’s success,” Seninde appealed.