KAMPALA. The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has given a leeway to its registrars across the country to endorse aspirants who seek party tickets in areas where there are no official flag bearers.
In a statement on Wednesday, NUP officials said they had received complaints from many party members upcountry, who never got the chance to apply for the party flag, but wish to run for office at various local council positions .
“In those areas, if there is no candidate already, our Registrars have been empowered to vet and endorse those candidates. We encourage all aspirants to reach out to them and get the party stamp before the closure of nominations for local governments” the statement reads in part .
However , the registrars which NUP Secretariat has entrusted with powers to vet candidates ,are already accused of being bias . For example in Masaka City , Nyendo/ Mukungwe Municipality , the area registrar stamped forms of Mr Achilles Mawanda ,the deputy Mayor Masaka City who is eying the Nyendo Ward councilor seat ,and ignored the officially endorsed party flag bearer Esther Mutesi .
By the time Mutesi arrived at Saaza Hall offices to get nominated, the Electoral Commission had already cleared Mr Mawanda for the same position under NUP ticket . It remains to be seen whether the registrars will independently do their work without any due influence from powerful politicians in their areas .