NRM cancels Kigulu South primaries after aspirant dies

By Nathan Ngobi

National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission boss Dr. Tanga Odoi has cancelled the Kigulu South elections, following the sudden death of Stephen Waako, one of the aspirants in the NRM primaries.

Waako died at dawn on polling day following a grisly accident at Kakira along Jinja-Iganga high way.

“We have called off the election in Kigulu South IIganga District) until a new date that will be communicated. This is after the sudden death of one of our candidates Waako Stephen who was in the race for MP in the primaries,” Dr Tanga Odoi communicated.

Busoga Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Paul Samson Naimanhye confirmed Waako’s death and described him as a hard working member of the laity who was serving as head of lands and estate in the diocese.

“We shall miss him very much,” Bishop Naimanhye told The Second Opinion, adding that earl this year the late Waako had taken leave of church duties to contest in the forthcoming 2021 parliamentary elections on the NRM ticket.

The Bishop added: “He was actually in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Jinja hospital the entire day and evening of Thursday. Some of us had a chance to check on him as he lay unconscious.”

Yazidi Kirunda, the Iganga district NRM returning officer said Waako’s death now leaves the battle for Kigulu South seat to incumbent MP Andrew Kaluya Kiiza , former area MP Milton Muwuma and Patrick Kayemba.

By press time Waako’s body was still at Jinja Hospital mortuary and the family together with church leaders are scheduled to meet later for the funeral arrangements.

Waako previously served as the sub county chief in Kigulu South.