19 candidates were on Friday successfully nominated to vie for the different positions of leadership in the newly created district of Rubanda in the Kigezi sub region.
Three were nominated for the position of Woman Member of Parliament, namely 27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize on independent ticket, Vastine Katushabe (FDC) and Prossy Akampurira Mbabazi, (NRM).
FDC Candidate for District Woman MP Vastine Katushabe
For the LC V chairperson seat, four candidates were nominated, that is, Kenneth Biryabarema Joogo (NRM), Nelson Habasa (Independent) Stephen Ampaire Kasyaba (independent) and Joseph Ruhangariyo (FDC).
The nominations of the LCV candidates’ turned dramatic when the FDC candidate, one Ambrose Tumukunde failed to show up and switched off his phones.
27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize the independent candidate
Confused and panicking with no breakthrough in efforts to reach him, Dr Joseph Tindyebwa the FDC national deputy secretary general for research and mobilization intervened and gathered a team that begun looking for another candidate.
His team finally zeroed on Felix Ngabirano, but when they brought him before the Kabale district returning officer Ismail Atwijukire, it was found that he was 29 years and three months, yet the law requires one to be at least 30 years to stand for the district chairman position.
Ngabirano was thus disqualified and the search resumed for another alternative, leading to Joseph Ruhangariyo the former Rubanda county west MP aspirant, who was eventually nominated for the seat.
Benjamin Mbabazi of the Uganda People’s Congress also caused drama at the nomination center when he showed up with only 80 signatures of the 300 needed from the six sub counties.
Benjamin Mbabazi the UPC candidate is said ti have forged the nomination forms
It was also found that he photocopied the nomination forms of the FDC candidate and tried to use them for his nomination.
The returning officer Ismail Atwijukire was dismayed and immediately disqualified him.
Supporters of 27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize celebrate her nomination
At the close of the nominations, Atwijukire appealed to the candidates to abide by the rules and regulations governing elections to avoid being disqualified or court cases thereafter.
He described the exercise as peaceful and calm.