BUYENDE. Budiope East Member of Parliament Moses Hashim Magogo is over the moon after being declared unopposed just two days to the Thursday General Election ..
According to Buyende District Election Returning Officer, Mr George William Eriau, Magogo, has been declared unopposed following the withdrawal of all his opponents.
“The High Court has upheld the EC’s decision to disqualify candidate Mulirire. This leaves the incumbent, Moses Hashim Magogo of the NRM, as the sole candidate, and as a result, there will be no election for the directly elected Member of Parliament for Budiope East. Voting will only take place for the Presidential and Woman MP Positions,” Mr Eriau said in a media message to the voters of Buyende.
Mr Eriau called for calm and peace, urging voters to turn out and exercise their right to vote. He promised that the EC will deliver credible election results that reflect the choice of the voters.
The disqualification of Mr. Mulirire and the subsequent declaration of Magogo as the unopposed candidate has drawn mixed reactions from voters and local leaders.
Many voters said it was only a matter of time, noting that Magogo’s closest rival, Godfrey Dhamuzungu, withdrew from the race citing the death of his father and pressure from family.
Other candidates, including Stephen Bangalana, his former aide Rabin Peere, and Resty Nsiro, were disqualified following petitions citing forged signatures, insufficient nominators, and other procedural irregularities. While some allege that certain candidates were bought out, others say they were initially brought in to split Dhamuzungu’s votes.
Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Anita Among, congratulated Mr. Magogo on his unopposed win, saying it was no surprise.
“Thank you for your prayers and for trusting Ssalongo to lead the NRM Party as District Chairperson. With the double blessings of twins, everything now comes in pairs, so just as I predicted, he has come out unopposed,” she said during yesterday’s NRM flagbearers’ vote mobilization in Buyende District.
Ms Among noted that the people of Budiope East expect Magogo to take the lead and that they will hold him accountable for his leadership. District civil servants praised Mr Magogo, saying he has demonstrated strong support for government programs and worked harmoniously with technocrats.
One civil servant noted: “Having the husband to the Speaker of Parliament gives us an advantage to push, pull and strategize national cake resources and be attended with extra attention.”
Mr Tomasi Ngole, a supporter of disqualified candidate Mulirire, criticized the nomination process, saying it erodes democracy and public accountability.
“The denomination of candidates erodes democracy and public accountability. Candidates should have been left to win or lose credibly,” he said.
Mr. Magogo responded, saying his commitment to Budiope East is unwavering.
“My passion to serve the people is unconditional like a mother’s love, and no pressure or propaganda will deter me from my mission,” he said.
First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga has criticized the EC for disqualifying candidates, saying the trend is worrying and undermines competition.
“The move is a strategy used by those who fear competition and accused the EC of denying affected candidates a fair hearing,” she said.
Ms Kadaga emphasized that disqualifying candidates without proper consultations is unfair and a departure from past practice within the NRM.