FDC wins in Kasese woman MP by-election

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party candidate for the woman MP by-election Winniefred Kiiza was early Thursday morning declared winner in Kasese district. Kiiza scored 97, 669 votes, beating her closest rival, NRM’s Rehema Muhindo who polled 59, 946 and DP’s Rose Masika with 1229 votes. The Kasese district registrar, Twesigye Valley Kanzira declared Kiiza as winner of the by election at 2.00am at the tally centre at Rukoko Kasese district headquaters main hall amidst the presence of the Electoral Commission boss, Eng. Badru Kiggundu.

Big shots from the opposition that included Salaamu Musumba, Wafula Ogutu, Alice Alaso, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Semuju Nganda among others had camped at the tally centre to witness the vote counting exercise as supporters were denied access to the tally room at least by ten metres away. There was a heavy presence of security in Kasese town on both motorized and foot police patrol all through the voting process, the end and during the vote counting period. No clashes have been reported according to the regional police commander, Wilson Kwanya. FDC spokesperson Wafula Ogutu said the vote has been free and fair despite intimidation and the heavy police deployment which he said was meant to scare off the voters.