In the recently concluded sub-county party elections, Aharizira had garnered 8 votes to defeat his contender, Christmas Jones Tumuramye, who got six votes.
The Rukiga district National Resistance Movement (NRM)
party electoral commission registrar has nullified the victory of Zacharia
Aharizira Kabahweeza as party Youth Chairperson for Mparo Town Council.
In the recently concluded sub-county party elections, Aharizira had garnered 8 votes to defeat his
contender, Christmas Jones Tumuramye, who got six votes.
But Tumuramye later contested Aharizira’s
win, citing illegitimacy. Tumuramye
petitioned the party's electoral commission, arguing that Aharizira did not
qualify to contest because he is a serving civil servant working for Kabale municipal
council as a principal town agent.
In the petition, Tumuramye argued that Aharizira joined active
politics without first resigning from civil service contrary to Uganda's Public
Service Standing orders 2010 which guides that if a public officer wishes to
contest for a position in a political party, he or she will be required to
retire if he qualifies by the Pensions Act or resign from the
Public Service.
On Thursday, Twaha Selubowa Yalyakumanyi, Rukiga District
NRM Party Returning Officer, said that Aharizira’s victory
has been nullified after investigations proved that he is still an active civil
servant who contested without resigning.
Yalyakumanyi told our reporter that the party is preparing the next
course of action. He did not add
more about the matter.
When contacted, Ahariziza said he is unable to comment
because he was attending a meeting.
