Dr. Odoi noted a high turnout of young people and said the party will convene consensus meetings to prevent internal divisions. Committees will also be dispatched to various regions to engage aspirants and guide them through the process.
In a statement issued on Monday morning, Dr. Odoi said he had received multiple complaints from candidates alleging that voters were being hidden or confined by rival camps to influence their choices during the voting process.
"This by-election can only be characterized as yet another sham, devoid of transparency and legitimacy. We firmly refuse to participate in a process that lacks integrity and does not represent the will of the people of Bukedea,” Amuriat’s statement reads in part.
Speaking shortly after the declaration of Emmanuel Omoding, an independent candidate as the newly elected Member of Parliament for Serere County by the electoral commission, Odoi said that the loss is a lesson to the party to organize better in the future.
Phillip Oucor was the NRM party's choice in the 2021 parliamentary race. However, with a vote margin of 5,195, he lost the race to Bishop Patrick Okabe who had been ejected by the party primaries. Okabe died last month in a motor accident.
Mbaziira argued that the party constitution indicates that one aggrieved by decisions by the party can always use its tribunal to seek redress before running to court but the aspirants didn't do this. He further indicated that this position was confirmed by the Constitutional Court in the case that was filed by one of their party members Fox Odoi against the party some time back.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, Captain Mike Mukula, the NRM Vice-Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, said that the decision to source for another flag bearer follows the performance of the 2021 candidate who fell far below the expected mark. When asked about the NRM Constitution, Mukula said that they will speak to Ekemu before making a final decision.
Immediately after the NRM party Electoral Commission called for elections in Okore Sub County, on local radio stations in Teso, supporters of Alupo and Akurut turned violent leading to the arrest of 18 people who are detained at Katakwi Police Station.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, says the residual primary elections will cover eight categories including special interest groups (SIG and National Youth Committee representatives and parliamentary candidates.
The officers from the districts of Ibanda, Isingiro, Tororo, Tororo county, Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Kanungu, Lira, Kyankwanzi, Namutumba, Kaliro, Buyende, Mayuge, Kakumiro, Kyenjojo and Ssembabule, are accused of altering election results, forging declaration forms, declaring the wrong candidates, accepting bribes, intimidating candidates and non-financial accountability.
The Kaabong Woman MP seat fell vacant after Rose Lilly Akello opted for the new Karenga district that became operational on July 1. Three people have so far expressed interest in the seat. They are Christine Tubo Nakwang, Agnes Napiyo and Ahmad Fardoza.
Dr. Odoi urged the candidates to exercise discipline by following the laws and regulations of the campaigns under the NRM party. He said that candidates will hold joint campaigns from August 17th- 24th, 2019 before the elections slated for August 26th.
