By Ali Lukomo
Former Budiope East MP Geoffrey Dhamuzungu has issued a strong warning to Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, accusing her of interfering in the political affairs of Budiope East, Buyende district, to benefit her husband, current area MP Eng. Moses Magogo.
Dhamuzungu, who lost the seat to Magogo in the 2021 elections, is gearing up for a rematch and alleges that Among is using her influence to unfairly tip the scales in her husband’s favor.
Dhamuzungu’s accusations come shortly after he resigned from his position as Senior Programs Officer in the Department of Corporate Planning and Strategy at the Parliament of Uganda. He maintains that his resignation was his own decision, stating that the Speaker cannot dictate his career path, which now includes a renewed bid for his former parliamentary seat.
“We will not allow a foreigner to come and disrespect us and to take away our powers to choose who we want to lead us. Let her stay in Bukedea, and we’ll sort this out with Magogo,” Dhamuzungu declared to a gathering of his supporters in Ngandho following contentious NRM party grassroots elections in the sub-county.
Dhamuzungu claims that the recently held grassroots elections were marred by irregularities and unfair practices. He alleges that security forces, led by Buyende district police commander Edson Birema Turamyomwe, favored his political opponents.
He further reveals that Ngandho sub-county registrar, Willy Balinaine, was overpowered by Baliise Ayub, a known supporter of Magogo, and other NRM loyalists from Wandago parish, leading to manipulation of the voting process.
“We do not agree with the outcomes of the voting. There was not voting for the youth, women, veterans and mainstream committees,” asserted Dhamuzungu, a registered voter of Basanga A in Ngandho parish.
He is now preparing to petition the NRM party leadership, including President Yoweri Museveni who is the party chairperson, and the chairperson of the party electoral commission, Dr Tanga Odoi, seeking redress for the alleged irregularities.
“To the President of Uganda, our party chairperson, the chairperson of the party electoral commission and other party leaders, this is to inform you that we are going to petition seeking redress. We have mobilised over 300 people who are signing this petition,” he stated.
Dhamuzungu has issued a two-week ultimatum, demanding a re-election in Ngandho. Failing that, he has threatened to take further action, stating, “If this fails and no re-election is done in Ngandho in two weeks, I call a meeting and tell you the next move we should make.”
The former MP even hinted at a potential mass defection from the ruling party if his concerns are not addressed. “If there is favouritism in the NRM party, I will mobilise all people in Budiope East and the entire district, and we will quit the party,” Dhamuzungu warned, leveraging his long-standing support for the NRM and considerable following, particularly among the youth.
Buyende district has traditionally been a stronghold for the NRM under President Museveni’s leadership. However, some supporters express frustration at what they perceive as neglect by the government despite their consistent support.
Dhamuzungu’s accusations add a layer of complexity to the political landscape in Budiope East, raising questions about fairness and transparency in the upcoming elections. The escalating tension between Dhamuzungu and the Speaker suggests a potentially fierce political battle ahead for the Budiope East parliamentary seat.
