Waako, a retired social worker and a renowned activist for older persons' welfare, was contesting with former integrity minister Maria Matembe who contested as an independent.
Delegates who turned up for elections of National Woman MP for
elderly persons were each bribed with 40,000 Shillings to vote for National
Resistance Movement’s candidate Peggy Joy Waako.
Waako, a retired social worker and a renowned activist for older persons'
welfare, was contesting with the former Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Maria Matembe who
contested as an independent.
According to the results, Waako polled 640 votes, while Matembe got 56 votes. 703
delegates participated in the elections.
Several delegates who preferred anonymity told URN reporter that they received
the cash.
According to the delegates, each district was given 200,000
shillings for the five executive members who form the Electoral College.
“At my age, I cannot lie to you. We received that money I admit.
They are paid for our accommodation and meals for Thursday, that is all,” one
of the delegates from the central region said. He added that in the previous
regional elections they pocketed not less than two million shillings after
getting a ‘token’ from all candidates in addition to their official allowance.
Three delegates from Northern and Western region admitted that they were also given 40,000 Shillings.
Muhammad Muyinda, chairperson elders’ council Bugiri District, who refused to
comment on the bribe, noted that with or without being bribed, they would still
vote for Waako. Muyinda noted that Waako has been an advocate for older
persons.
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Although Matembe declined to comment on the matter, URN has established
that she has officially complained to the Electoral Commission listing several
irregularities that marred the elections.
Fredrick Muwaya Tibakuno, the returning officer Kampala confirmed
to have received the complaints.
Muwaya notes that besides Matembe’s complaint, he was also
wondering how the NRM candidate had used the venue which was hired by the
Electoral Commission to convene the delegates without the EC’s knowledge.
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When asked about the bribery allegations, Waako refused to comment saying that she was busy celebrating her victory.
According to the programme, delegates had to arrive in
Kampala on the even of the elections, book accommodation and converge at the IUIU female campus
on Friday morning. After arrival, there would be campaigns before voting.
However, Waako and her agents arranged a meeting with delegates at the voting venue from mid-day on Thursday until late in the night, when the bribe was
given out.
Several election observers who were at the venue on Thursday
evening also witnessed the illegal activities. However, most
of them preferred not to be interviewed saying that they will
soon release an official statement.
Meanwhile, before the delegates cast their votes, they protested until they are told how much money they
were going to receive.
"We are old men and women; we don’t want to be stranded in
the city after voting. The officials who invited us should be transparent and
fair to tell us what is due for each of us. We don't want to cause scenes after
voting," Michael Olee, a delegate from Abim said.
However, Muwaya told the delegates that each delegate was to be
given an allowance of 400,000 shillings on top of transport which could vary
depending on the mileage from their respective home district.
Waako said that she will focus on ensuring that social assistance
grant for empowerment beneficially age is lowered from 80 to 60 in all district
and also advocate that the amount is increased from 25,000 Shillings to at
least 50,000 Shillings.
In August last year, Parliament Okayed the creation of five seats for elderly persons, one of which was ring-fenced for women and
four for Regional representatives. According to official results, the five
seats have been taken by the NRM party.
