By Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among has been declared unopposed as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for the Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament seat, following the disqualification of her only opponent on grounds of ineligibility.
The announcement follows an internal party investigation which established that Ms. Helene Akol Odeke, who had expressed interest in contesting the seat, did not meet the NRM party’s residency requirements.
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According to a letter from the NRM Secretary General had earlier raised questions about Odeke’s residency claims in Bukedea District. Although she claimed to have a home in Kokonyele Village, Malera Parish, Malera Sub-county, the vetting committee found that she did not have a permanent or even temporary residence in the area for at least a year, as required by the party guidelines.
“She only has claims to a piece of land, but no established home or residence in that area,” explained the NRM electoral commission chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi during the meeting. “You cannot nominate a person simply because they own land. Residency must be proven.”
Citing examples from his own experience, Dr. Tanga Odoi noted that land ownership alone does not equate to residency. “I have land scattered in Kiryandongo, Nabumale, Tororo, and elsewhere. That does not make me a resident of all those places,” he said.
With Odeke’s nomination nullified, the party has formally declared Anita Among unopposed, clearing her to represent the NRM in the upcoming elections.
