The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, has announced State Minister for Labour, Mwesigwa Rukutana as the winner of the Rushenyi County party primaries.
Tanga Odoi said after all the declaration forms were analyzed, Rukutana polled 25,310 votes (46.27 percent) while his rival, Naome Kabasharira polled 25,290 votes (46.23 percent). NRM EC had initially declared Kabashariara winner of the highly contested election that was characterized by violence.
Another contender in the race, Mr Bob Nahabwe trailed in the third position with 2,270 votes (4.15 percent), Norman Beingana Kashereka got 350 votes (0.64 percent) while Elia Rwagara Mwesigwa got 256 votes (0.47 percent).
The announcement comes days after NRM supporters in Rushenyi County protested the decision by Dr Odoi to cancel the victory of Ms Kabasharira as the party flag bearer.
The protesters blocked Ntungamo-Kabale road with stones and burnt tyres, disrupting traffic before police dispersed them with bullets.
The initial tallies on September 4th, stated that Ms Kabasharira appeared to have defeated Mr Rukutana who is the incumbent MP. Violence erupted leading to Rukutana’s arrest after he snatched a gun from a guard allegedly intending to harm his rival’s supporters.
Rukutana was later arrested and charged with attempted murder and threatening violence. He was released on bail on September 15.
The ensuing chaos prompted the intervention of President Museveni and the NRM electoral commission headquarters in Kampala which culminated in the recount of votes.
On September 15, Dr Tanga started the recounting of votes in Rushenyi, announcing at the end of first day of the exercise that Mr Rukutana was leading Ms Kabasharira by four votes.