Incumbents Rukaari, Mpaka among 12 nominated in Mbarara city

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A total of twelve candidates were nominated to contest for parliamentary seats in various constituencies in Mbarara city on the first day of the ongoing exercise.

Violet Atuhurra, the returning officer for Mbarara city, said all candidates who had booked to be nominated on the first day, when the two-day exercise got underway on Wednesday, October 22, were fully nominated. She added that more candidates were expected to be nominated on Thursday.

Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama (in yellow) and NRM flag bearer being nominated for Mbarara City South MP seat. (Photo by Fred Turyakira)

Mbarara City North Constituency attracted the largest number of contestants, with six candidates nominated on the first day, while Mbarara City South Constituency had three candidates nominated.

For the city Woman MP seat, three candidates were also nominated, including the incumbent, who is a National Resistance Movement-leaning independent, alongside an NRM candidate and one from the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Those nominated to contest for Mbarara City North Constituency include the incumbent, Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, who is the NRM-leaning independent candidate, Christopher Bakashaba (NRM), Kajubi Benon Maisho (Independent), Atusasire Agatha (PFF), Mugarra Norman Vincent (ANT) and Kato Isaac (Independent).

Bright Muhumuza of NUP (In red necktie) was nominated to contest for Mbarara City South MP seat. (Photo by Fred Turyakira)

Agatha Atusasire of PFF addressing the media after being nominated to contest for Mbarara City North MP. (Photo by Fred Turyakira)

In Mbarara city South Constituency, the incumbent, Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama (NRM), was nominated alongside Muhumuza Bright (NUP) and Mwebesa Moses (Independent).

For the Mbarara city Woman MP seat, the incumbent, Atukwasa Rita Bwahika, an NRM-leaning independent, was the first to be nominated, followed by Irene Number One Kajumba (NUP) and Charity Kibaju Kamuhanda (NRM).

Mbarara City woman MP, Rita Bwahika Atukwasa being congratulated by her husband, Chrysostom upon her nomination at EC offices in Booma , Mbarara City. She is contesting as Independent NRM leaning. (Photo by Fred Turyakira)

During the exercise, security was deployed to restrict large numbers of supporters from accessing the Electoral Commission offices in Booma, with each candidate allowed to be accompanied by only ten supporters.

Atuhurra warned candidates against flouting Electoral Commission regulations after their nominations and urged them to sensitise and control their supporters to avoid attacking opponents, which could lead to violence.