President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday spent the entire day at Kololo Independence Grounds supervising the hotly contested elections of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC), where several new faces triumphed while two cabinet ministers lost their seats.
In the most closely watched contest, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among trounced incumbent Rebecca Kadaga to clinch the position of National Vice Chairperson (Female).
Among garnered 11,680 votes, representing 92.8 per cent of the total, while Kadaga managed only 902 votes (7.2 per cent) out of 12,582 ballots cast.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua was elected Northern Region Vice Chairperson with 3,591 votes (67.4 per cent), defeating Sam Engola with 1,078 votes and Dan Kidega with 658.
In the Western Region, Minister of ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi lost his seat after securing 2,303 votes against Jonard Asiimwe, who won with 4,044 votes (53.9 percent). Another contestant, Bwenje Lauben, polled only 55 votes.
For Eastern Uganda, David Calvin Echodu was elected unopposed after Capt. Mike Mukula withdrew from the race.
In Buganda Region, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo edged out Kalisa Kalangwa Moses with 4,194 votes against 3,981.
For Kampala, Salim Saad Uhuru retained his position with 2,111 votes, defeating Katongole Singh who polled 1,375.
President Museveni, who oversaw the elections until past midnight, congratulated the winners and urged unity within the Party.
“I congratulate the newly elected NRM Vice Chairpersons and thank all the voters for their participation. For those candidates who may be feeling dissatisfied, it is easy to investigate any claims of irregularities. I thank you and wish you good luck,” Museveni said.
The elections for the Entrepreneurs League and the Youth League were postponed due to reported irregularities. The NRM National Delegates Conference is expected to close on Thursday.
