NUP withdraws from Bukimbiri county by-election to support FDC

Joshua Mutabazi, the 19-year-old NUP candidate, had been nominated last Tuesday to contest against Owebeyi, Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and independent Edward Mutabazi.

The withdrawal of Mutabazi is purportedly the oppositions’ closing of ranks in order to effectively overcome what anti-government forces describe as military dictatorship in Uganda.

The statement of withdrawal indicates that an FDC candidate was also recently withdrawn from the Gogonyo county by-election, Pallisa district, and opted to support a NUP candidate called Joseph Okoboi Opolot.

“As you all know, the NUP backed the FDC candidate Hon. Attan Moses in the concluded Soroti by-election. Likewise, FDC has recently withdrawn its candidate in the Gogonyo Constituency by-election in Pallisa District and opted to support the NUP candidate Hon. Okoboi Joseph. However, following our renewed effort to work alongside all forces of change, we have taken a decision to withdraw our candidate from this election,” the statement reads.

It adds, “Instead, we shall be supporting and backing the FDC candidate. These steps give greater cooperation in our effort to rid our nation of military dictatorship. We appreciate comrade Mutabazi Joshua for his maturity and appreciation of the urgent need for the forces of change to work together at this critical time.”

Joel Ssenyonyi, the NUP party spokesperson, confirmed the decision to withdraw from the race.

Voting in Bukimbiri is scheduled to take place on August 11, 2022. The by-election issues from the Court of Appeal’s decision to nullify the victory of Kwizera citing irregularities following a successful application by Owebeyi.