TOCHI NRM MP LOSERS PETITION TANGA ODOI ON PRIMARIES.

Five lead petitioners have disputed the election results for Tochi Constituency NRM MP Flag bearer conducted on Saturday 14th November 2015 citing gross mismanagement and irregularities in the exercise by the electoral commission officials.

The lead petitioner of Odong Latek Stephen, Kilama Felix Douglas Nyapolo Rose, Watdok Francis Awori and Ocheng Isaac Otim all Contestants who lost in the NRM MP Flag bearer elections were yesterday presenting their dissatisfaction before journalists in Gulu Town saying that Obutu Francis the NRM Party flag bearer rigged the elections in his favor.

The Five former aspirants alleged that the ballot paper reached the polling stations as late as 2:30PM and voters in some places like Alokolum were forced to vote for only one and a half hours which is not according to the electoral laws of the party.

The petitioners also queried the mode of election used indicating that the parliamentary elections act Section 97 for the party provide that upon the appointment of an election date, it should be published in a gazette but that was not done.

According to a letter seen by our reporter, the petitioners have prayed for nullification and a fresh free and fair election to be organized to determine the NRM party flag bearer for Tochi County.

Rose Nyapolo, one of the petitioners vowed to stand as an independent for the interest of her people should the electoral commission not take action to nullify the results.

Meanwhile, the petition has already been sent to the chairman NRM electoral commission but the petitioners have said they are willing to take the electoral body to court if the issue is not treated with honesty and respect it deserves.

MUSICIAN,TWONGWENO BRACES HIMSELF FOR POLITICAL RACE

Opiyo Geoffrey Twongweno, a renowned local musician who has been in the music industry since 2005 and has composed and poduced over 400 songs has vowed to fight for the interest of the minority and promote the Acholi culture and tradition when he is elected councilor three for Pece division.

Twogweno while talking to our reporter today from his office in Pece in Gulu Municipality said his calling into politics is to bridge the existing gap between the electorates and their leaders.

He said there are many issues that leaders ought to resolve with the people who elect them into power but most of them only remember the common man during campaigns to seek for votes from them.

Twongweno further stressed that he has made up his mind to lead and not use people to create wealth for himself but advocate for better education for the child who cannot afford expensive schools that most of the politicians take their children to since they know that the quality of education in the region is poor as a result of their own making.

He added that it is common knowledge that politicians prefer to take their children to study in other districts like Luwero, Wakiso among others instead of strengthening their own system of education for their children and others to have the best.

In his campaign trail, Twogweno says he is standing as an independent candidate to be able to serve his people better without pressure from any party.

Mean while on his music career, the traditional singer promises to continue singing over the weekends saying he only performs at dignified functions like weddings, birthdays and graduations among others but does not attend shows or concerts adding that I will not affect his political career.

GULU MUNICIPAL FEMALE MAYORAL CANDIDATE PROMISES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Maliam Okello, the 73 year old mayoral aspirant for Gulu Municipality has today laid out her manifesto to work with the youth into making that more productive and beautifying the town by planting grass and flowers to welcome investors into the town.

Maliam was addressing journalists at a press conference at Northern Uganda Media Club in Gulu Town where she said that the municipality needs a mayor who is friendly to the community especially the youth and can lobby for support from donors to be able to give them practical hands on skills to earn a decent leaving.

She added that When she was nominated on Friday for the position of mayor, she started the race with all the energy she has to serve Gulu Municipality for only on term to bring change in the way people work, to enjoy and also to create employment through saving schemes in groups and helping the women selling in the markets have taxes lowered to favor their businesses.

In her manifesto, Maliam also added that she will begin a chamber of commerce for small business owners in groups for lower taxes so that vendors benefit.

She promises to restore self esteem in the community and advocate for affordable health services through an insurance payment plan that will cost about only 3,000/= per year in companies that she already has connections with.

Maliam is the only female candidate contesting for the Gulu Municipal mayoral seat.

POPE TO INTERCEDE FOR PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER IN UGANDA

Nobert Mao, the DP party president has yesterday urged Ugandans to peacefully embrace the coming of the pope into the country for a steadfast pursuit of their dreams and freedom.
He said rather than just listening to the Pope, people should humble themselves to his lifestyle and be true believers.
He appealed to the Pope to intercede for Ugandans and stand in the gap for a peaceful nation that is yearning for change and development.
Meanwhile, presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi said he participated in the early preparations of the Pope’s visit adding that it is a timely visit at a time when Ugandan need the Holy father to intercede for them for a peaceful transition of power come 2016.
Mbabazi said GO Forward together with the TDA will put on hold their campaigns tomorrow 27th November to allow their supporters attend the event at Namugongo Martyrs shrine where the pope is expected to arrive by 1:15pm according to reports from the organizing committee for his visit.
Pope Francis is in Nairobi, Kenya where he addressed more than one million people calling upon all men and women of good will to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing.
Pope Francis is the fourth pontiff to visit Africa.
BY
ABALO IRENE OTTO
26112015

MBABAZI IRKED BY BAISED MEDIA COVERAGE

Hon Amama Mbabazi was yesterday disgruntled by national media coverage of campaigns saying that they are being selective on who to broadcast best and their story angling on some candidates are biased.
Mbabazi was addressing Journalists from Larem Guest house in Senior Quarters in Gulu after his campaigns on Monday from Kaunda grounds where he spoke to thousands of voters before heading to Lira.
He queried the selection of exclusion of the crowd in video footages by widely viewed national channels and yet he says the crowd is more important to him than fussing the camera on him alone during the campaigns.
Meanwhile, Hon Nobert Mao appealed to the media for fair and balance coverage of all presidential candidates by the media and not focusing on the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni and his crowd mostly.
Mao added that they have learnt of security apparatus that are being oppressive to journalist restricting them from focusing their cameras far for long.
Mao urged people to support Amama Mbabazi because he has the latest information from their main opponent NRM and his ideas to propel development are genuine.
BY
ABALO IRENE OTTO
26112015

FRAGMENTED NRM BREEDS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES FOR 2016

The just concluded NRM primary elections have left fragments within the party that are considering contesting as independents in the forth coming 2016 general elections according to an insider in the party.
Uhuru John Bosco, a member of NRM party says the fragmented camps within the party has led to individuals who want to forcefully change the institution from the hands of a few individuals to make people believe in particular members within the party who also care about the interest of the electorates.
Uhuru while in an interview with our reporter today was controversial when said that he does not want to exit from the party but to remain and fight internal impunity within the NRM party to win the trust and votes from the electorates.
Last Week, Gulu district speaker Douglas Peter Okao who is also the NRM chairman in the district refuted allegations that the party is controlled by elite individuals saying the party is too big to be controlled by one person and it is for everybody.
However, Uhuru is contesting for the position of Northern Youth Member of Parliament as an independent.
Uhuru called for unity among the youth to fight the greatest challenge of unemployment not for anybody but for everybody in the region.
He added that the youth have the zeal to work but only lack the encouragement and support from their leader even from home to enable them have a conducive environment to invest their time in productive activities.
Uhuru is campaigning under the slogan “nothing for us without us” saying he believes that without giving priority to the youth, the entire Acholi Sub region will lag behind in development.
BY
ABALO IRENE OTTO
26112015

NEW MALARIA INFECTIONS SLUMP IN GULU

The universal net distribution in Gulu district were a part of the exit of the indoor residual spraying in the fight against malaria but this has not reduced cases of malaria.

Dr Ojok Celestine, the district heath educator Gulu, while talking to Favor Fm in an interview with our reporter said for the last two weeks, the district has registered about 4980 new cases of malaria down from about 5000 in October which was at about 70% indicating a reduction in the rate of new infections.

Cue in ……Celestino on Malaria….

He added that the use of the nets is still a new development that many people did not have but the Village Health Teams are tasked with the duty to health educate and demonstrate how nets can be used.

He says the district health department is continuing for people to use the nets properly to avert malaria in the region.

DOCHO BELLA REJECTED BY NRM ELLECTRAL COMMISSION

The Chairman NRM Electoral Commission, Dr Tanga Odoi has finally presented Mr Olanya Billy Graham, the Councilor five for Odek Sub County as the duly elected party flag bearer for the position of Local Council V, Gulu District.

In a letter seen by our reporter, Tanga received a petition against aspirant Mr Docho Bella P’oneka Chris challenging his victory in the NRM elections for Gulu LCV flag and he received the final petition on the 13th November 19, 2015 at 10:00am as seen in his copy and signature.

Tanga Odoi stressed that Docho Bella was summoned four times and the last time to appear on 12th November 2015, at 2pm to defend his victory lest the commission proceeds to hear the petition and determine it in his absence but in vain.

Odoi states that despite the continued appearance of the petitioner and the district elections officer for a hearing of the petition, Docho Bella failed to honor the summon.

Meanwhile, Billy Graham is excited with the final position of the party on pronouncing him as the party flag bearer.

Cue in ……Billy Graham on flag bearer……

He is set to be nominated tomorrow at the district council hall.

HEPATITIS BE IS THE SILENT KILLER IN GULU

The district heath educator Gulu, Dr Ojok Celestine has today revealed that Hepatitis B is now among the worst diseases quietly killing hundreds of people because it does not clearly manifest signs and symptom for early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Ojok said that there is no clear data to show the exact sub county in the district most affected by Hepatitis B because the data they get from the health facilities indicate the numbers of those who visit them from the various sub counties and other districts.

He disputed recent media reports that Bardege division is leading with cases of Hepatitis B because Lacor hospital from which the data was collected is located in that division but very many patients from other districts visit the facility.

Cue in ……Celestino on Hepatitis Data

He also noted the community has to be conscious Hepatitis B adding that the transmission of the disease is similar to that of HIV/ AIDS.

Cue in ……Celestino on Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver and can be transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids including semen during sexual intercourse with an infected person.

GULU MAIN MARKET VENDOR SELL ON CORRIDORS FOR LACK OF ROOMS

Gulu main market vendors have tada expressed their disappointment with the leaders for failing to orgaise them so that they can benefit from their businesses.
When our reporter visited the market, there were about 200 vendors selling by the corridors, walk ways and verranda of the market due to inadequate space to accommodate them in the lock ups and stalls.
Oryema Tom, a vendor who has been in the market since 2008 says that the rellocation has affected most vendors because their former customers have not been able to easily find them.He says they are getting new customers but those who sell on the verranda and corridors need to be placed in a better position so that the market looks arganised.
Cue in ……Amone on market…………
Susan Amone, a tailor from the demolished market behind Kakanyero says that she is among the people who failed to get lock ups that is why she is operating her business from the Corridor.
Cue in….Susan Amone on Corridors………..
John Odur, the chairman Gulu Min Market Tailor’s Association said since the market was opened on the 1st october 2015, tailors have been among the most disgrantled of the traders who were allocated only 10 lock ups that were formally meant for meat sellers and could not accomodate the over 700 tailors in the market.
He appealed to the town clerk and other leaders to speed up the process of relocating those who do not have space so that they are able to make ends meet in their families an also service loans.