By Weswa Ronnie
MANAFWA
A bitter rift has emerged in Manafwa District within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party as elections for the district party chairperson seat draws near.
The incumbent chairperson, Charles Walimbwa Peke, who is seeking re-election, has accused former Minister for Karamoja Affairs and district Woman Member of Parliament, Mary Goret Kitutu, of backing another candidate, Jabi Bukeni, in a bid to undermine his candidacy.
Walimbwa claims to have evidence that Kitutu is funding Bukeni’s campaigns and alleges that this move is designed to weaken his chances of re-election.
He warns that such tactics could harm the party’s prospects in the district during the upcoming general elections.
The conflict between Walimbwa and Kitutu has been brewing for some time, dating back to the minister’s arrest and detention over allegations of misappropriating iron sheets meant for Karamoja.
The tension escalated last month when Walimbwa endorsed Annet Musibikha as the NRM’s sole candidate for the Manafwa district woman MP seat, a move that reportedly annoyed Kitutu.
Attempts to get a comment from Kitutu were unsuccessful, as her phone was off at the time of reporting.
The rivalry between Walimbwa and Kitutu is expected to play out in the NRM party elections, potentially affecting the party’s performance in the district.
The race has two Walimbwa and Jabi Bukeni.
