NRM Primaries: Otafiire, five ex-Ministers bounce back

East African Community Affairs minister Kahinda Otafiire, and four ex-ministers Jim Muhwezi, Irene Muloni, Jessica Alupo and Dr Chrispus Kiyonga have won ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.

Muhwezi, the former information and national guidance minister, won in Rujumbura County of Rukungiri District.

MUHWEZI

Jim Muhwezi polled 27,199 against his opponents’ Julius Muhurizi’s 4,565, Venansio Natuhwera’s 2,134 and Alex Mugisha’s 269.

“I am very pleased with today’s results and I am grateful to all people who turned out to vote,” said Muhwezi.

The former minister had lost the Rujumbura parliamentary seat in 2016 to opposition FDC’s Fred Turyamuhweza.

ALUPO

In Teso’s Katakwi, ex-education and sports minister outshone the incumbent Violet Adome Akurut for district woman representative slot.

Alupo garnered 38,582 votes, Akurut 29,435, Claire Apuno 13,760, , and Angella Anuken 824.

KIYONGA

In Kasese District’s Bukonzo West, former security minister Dr Kiyonga polled 28,099 against Capson Sausi’s 4,416.

In 2016, Kiyonga lost to  Godfrey Katusabe.

President Yoweri Museveni would then appoint him Uganda’s ambassador to China, a position he has held since then.

MULONI

In Bulambuli, former energy and mineral development minister Irene Muloni beat off competition Patience Nambozo to secure the district’s woman parliamentary flag.

Muloni polled 60,592 while Nambozo got 5,304 votes.

She had lost to Sarah Nambozo Wekomba, an independent candidate, in the 2016 election.

APORU

In Kumi Municipality, former Teso Affairs minister Christine Amongin Aporu outshone her male opponents to secure the NRM flag for the 2021 election.

OTAFIIRE

In Mitooma District’s Ruhinda County, Otafiire beat Robert Mbeine to become flag bearer for the NRM.

In 2016, he lost to Capt Donozio Kahonda, but remained deployed as minister and ex-officio MP.

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