Yesterday was perhaps one of the darkest days in the recent past of the NRM party as it held elections in the highly contested Mawogola North Primary Elections that were taken finally by Aine Kaguta. The elections followed postponement from the earlier date due to violence and allegations of voter bribery and violence in the area.
Gladly, the elections were finally conducted under a peaceful observance from the NRM electoral commission chair Tanga Odoi and the Uganda security services. It should not however have gotten to this stage if all candidates observed respect for processes set up by the party.
Now that the primaries are done, the candidates that have lost need to give the party a break and opportunity to those that won to run campaigns without consequent petitions. This election has drained both the party and the people of the area. It has also left a lot of division within the party and a tainted public image.
The losers need to also either evacuate from the party if they still intend to stand. The NRM shall not lose its base as one of the losers alleged. Every election has winners and losers and such baseless petitions can only perpetuate the growing divisions.
The part cannot remain in a state of petitions and counter petitions as we get closer to the elections next year but rather needs to put down a strong stance and be strong in its decision making. It should not accept to be held hostage by individuals however influential they make perceive themselves to be. Party positions are not hereditary and no one for that matter is owed anything.
This is a time when many of the opposition parties are also in disarray and it looks as no one is willing to out rightly take the day.
