Independent candidate Michael Mawanda Maranga has made a comeback to Parliament as the new legislator for the Igara East constituency, beating the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Andrew Martial by 3,218 votes.
Mawanda, a former MP representing the same constituency, was last night declared victor by Bushenyi district returning officer Godfrey Mbabazi after polling 16, 209 votes to Martial’s 12, 991 votes. Martial, a a former head of protocol in State House, also doubles as the NRM chairperson of Bushenyi district.
Third in the race was Benjamin Katana Kagiremire with 1477 votes, followed by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Christine Ninsiima Kekunika with 497 votes; Independent candidate Bedads Kananura with 480 votes, while and David Armstrong only managed 76 votes.
The Igara East parliamentary seat fell vacant after the nullification of the election of Andrew martial, by the Court of Appeal on grounds of voter bribery and non-compliance of electoral laws.
Some time back Martial was quoted by the media as saying he was against the controversial bill aimed at lifting of presidential age limit capped that is at 75 years according to 1995 Constitution.
However, on Tuesday he refuted the assertions when NRM Chairman Yoweri Museveni was in the district to campaign for him.
The controversial Bill to expunge Article 102 (b) that returns to Parliament on Monday is being touted by Andrew Martial’s Igara West erstwhile colleague Raphael Magyezi.
