By Mubiru Ivan
The Democratic Party (DP) candidate for Busia District Chairperson seat has withdrawn from the race after being appointed as a member of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
Hasubi Deogratias Njoki who was nominated last week was the sole candidate for the opposition after being fronted by main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Njoki’s decision leaves NRM’s Paul Boniface Oguttu with the highest chances of winning the highly contested race.
In his letter dated November 10, 2018 addressed to the secretary general of his party, Njoki said if approved by Parliament; he would consider serving the country as a member of UHRC.
He further stated that the initiative to seek to serve as a member of UHRC was made way back before the program for the by election for the office of chairperson, Busia District was announced.
“On the 9th November 2018, I received a copy of a letter dated 8th November 2018 addressed to the Rt Hon Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, appointing me as a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission,” he said in his letter.
Njoki also explained that the timing for his appointment, after the nominations closed on November 7, 2018 did not leave an opportunity for the parties that sponsored and supported his candidature to nominate an alternative candidate saying “it was outside his control”.
Other candidates in the race that is scheduled to take place on November 28 are Chrispus Bwire, Tony Ojambo and Geoffrey Wandera, all on candidate tickets.
The Busia District seat fell vacant in May, 2018 after Court of Appeal in Mbale District threw out Mr Ouma Adea on grounds that had been convicted of corruption in 2013.
Meanwhile, Ronald Muhinda, Dr. Kizza Besigye’s aide condemned Njoki’s decision and said it is one of the many dangers of fielding a joint opposition candidate.
He revealed that some FDC cadres had proposed that the party should field its candidate but the bureaucrats defied the move.
“DP mutumenya! This is not how unity and cooperation works. Njoki has betrayed us. You have really stung us,” said Muhinda in a Facebook post.
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