MBARARA NRM HOTSPOTS! Tension as Dr. Rukaari, Hon. Tusiime fight for Mbarara City North Seat
As the date for National Resistance Movement NRM Party primaries draws nearer, the heat in the Mbarara City North Member of Parliament MP seat which is arguably one of the most competitive in Mbarara city, one of the recently approved cities, continues to rise.
The race features the National chairman of the NRM party’s Entrepreneurs League and the honorary consul of Morocco to Uganda, Dr. Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, who is a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee who is up against Michael Tusiime, the current Member of Parliament for Mbarara Municipality.
After Mbarara became a city, two constituencies of Mbarara South and Mbarara North were formed, effectively pitting the two former allies, who happen to be neighbours, against each other. Rukaari in the last election sponsored Tusiime’s candidature.
The businessman is currently the president of the Uganda National Chamber of Trade and Investment, a private organisation that rallies Small and medium Enterprises to spearhead economic transformation in the country.
Rukaari has been rallying support from his intended constituents, pledging to empower women and youth in Mbarara, to lead the anti-poverty fight after unseating former protégé.
Rukaari has also vowed to spread wealth creation in Mbarara as part of his campaign strategy.
Rukaari has also repeatedly said he intends to set a firm foundation on which the new city should develop.
Hon. Michael Tusiime, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Mbarara Municipality, is using the things he has done in the past to help win votes in the NRM primaries, which are due this week on Friday, September 4.
This time, Tusiime is vying for representation of Mbarara North constituency after the municipality was split following elevation into city status.
Tusiime has repeatedly boasted that he used his time in office to mobilize resources for schools like Karama Primary School, Kyamugorani P/S, and Uganda Martyrs P/S, whose infrastructure has significantly improved.
Tusiime has also confirmed that some health centers have been given a facelift and water and electricity reach has been expanded.
In the municipality, electricity consumption has increased from 16,000 to 39,000 units.
However, the lawmaker says there’s still need to boost water supply to meet the 25 million cubic meters the city needs per day instead of 16 million cubic meters it’s currently getting.
We shall bring you all the news about the elections as it unfolds.
