{Most ministers who were defeated in the NRM primaries have bounced back to contest for parliamentary seats as independent candidates.}
Some of them had indicated earlier that they would run as independents, citing irregularities in the party primaries.
Those nominated as independents include Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Kahinda Otafiire who lost the NRM flag for Ruhinda County parliamentary seat to Capt Donozio Kahonda. Gen Otafiire petitioned court to block Kahonda’s nomination on NRM ticket but his application for the interim injunction was not granted.
Other ministers include Education minister Jessica Alupo, minister for Primary Health Care Sarah Opendi, State minister for Regional Cooperation Asuman Kiyingi and Henry Banyenzaki, the State minister for Economic Monitoring.
Others are; junior minister of Lands Idah Nantaba and former Ethics and Integrity minister Nsaba Buturo who were all nominated to run as independents.
Incumbent MPs Michael Mawanda, Simon Peter Aleper, Vincent Kyamadidi and Xavier Kyoma who lost in the NRM primaries were also nominated as independents.
Museveni’s opinion
President Museveni last month said it was difficult to be harsh on independents without proof that they had lost in free and fair NRM primaries.
However, earlier this week, Mr Museveni gave a green light to those who had lost in the NRM primaries to contest if they were not satisfied with the outcome of the party elections which were marred by irregularities.
If the number of candidates nominated on various political affiliations is something to go by, the next Parliament may be dominated by independent candidates. This follows the conclusion of nomination for parliamentary seats that saw independent candidates out-numbering the official party flag bearers.
Out of the 555 parliamentary candidates sampled by Saturday Monitor, 324 are independents while 69 are Forum for Democratic Change official flag bearers.
Other political parties such as Uganda Peoples Congress and Democratic Party fielded less than 10 candidates across the country yet Ken Lukyamuzi’s Conservative Party, Beti Kamya’s Uganda Federal Alliance and Peoples Progressive Party fielded less than five.
There are at least 43 independent candidates in the current Parliament.
Most independent candidates who were nominated had participated and lost in the NRM primaries some of whom include incumbent NRM MPs and ministers.
Some of the independents are, however,aligned to former prime minister Amama Mbabazi who also is standing as an independent presidential candidate on the Go Forward platform.
SOURCE:DAILY MONITOR:[FULL LIST: 7 ministers contest as independents->http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/FULL-LIST–7-ministers-contest-as-independents/-/859108/2984286/-/13afpsez/-/index.html]
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