Presidential election: 3 generals nominated, 2 civilians rejected

Two independent presidential hopefuls, John Katumba and Nancy Linda Kalembe in the race have been turned away by the Electoral Commission after failing to show proof of payment of Shs 20 million nomination fees. 

Katumba is a fresh university graduate believed to be in his early 20s while Kalembe is the only female aspirant in next year's race. Katumba caused drama today when he opted to run to the nominations grounds at Kyambogo university playground after his car reg. no. UBD 257M got a flat tyre around Spear Motors in Nakawa.  

The police asked his driver to park by the roadside, and Katumba who was complaining about the delay decided to run off to Kyambogo in order to meet the 2 pm time set for him by the Electoral Commission. Many police officers did not know that Katumba was a presidential aspirant until he told them to check the parking sticker on his car.

Norman Musinga who is in charge of traffic police around Nakawa later came and called for a police pick up truck which took Katumba's few supporters to Kyambogo. Katumba's running efforts did not pay off as he was turned away by the Electoral Commission chairperson justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama over failure to pay the Shs 20m nomination fees. 

Likewise, Kalembe, the only female aspirant cleared for the nomination was also turned away after failing to show proof of payment of the mandatory Shs 20 million nomination fees. However, unlike Katumba, Kalembe was given a window of opportunity to return tomorrow Tuesday for nomination after claiming that she paid but her payment failed to be reflected. 

"You have failed to comply with section 10(6) which requires you to pay a nonrefundable fee of Shs 20 million before appearing for nomination. As a result, we are not able to nominate you because you have not fully complied with the requirement for nomination as a presidential candidate. So please could your agents come for your papers," Byabakama who presided over the nomination said. 

This means that only three of the five candidates lined up for nomination today have been nominated. These include Rtd Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, the ruling National Resistance Movement party candidate, Rtd Lt. Gen. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu an independent and Rtd Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, the Alliance for National Transformation party candidate. Five candidates are expected to be nominated tomorrow. 

These include Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the National Unity Party platform presidential candidate, Patrick Amuriat Oboi from the Forum for Democratic Change, Mwesigye Fred, Mayambala Willy and Kabuleta Joseph Kiiza, all independents.  

Source