By URN
Grace Hanna Lalam, an independent candidate in the Dokolo District Woman MP by- election has withdrawn from the race.
Her withdrawal from the race was confirmed by the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama during the stakeholder pre- polling day engagement at Dokolo District Council on Wednesday.
“The Returning Officer received a notice of withdrawal from the race from one Hanna Grace Lalam.” Byabakama said while addressing stakeholders. “Unfortunately, by the time her withdrawal notice came in, we had already printed the ballot the papers. We therefore appeal to the voters not to cast votes in her favour because any vote cast for her will be considered invalid.”
Lalam’s withdrawal letter written on Tuesday 19, 2024 indicates that she took the decision after consulting with the National Resistance Movement -NRM, which she claims is her party. She also says her consultations with her campaigning teams helped her decide.
“I have come to this decision consciously, without any duress after fully consulting with my campaign structures and my party, the National Resistance Movement. This will allow me to give full support to the NRM candidate, Janet Rose Elao,” Lalam’s resignation reads.
Lalam’s decision comes after meeting with the NRM’s party chairman, also the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday. The President was campaigning for the NRM flag bearer in Atabu Primary School in Bata Sub County and Amatiburu Primary School in Kangai Sub County.
During the campaigns, Museveni rewarded Beatrice Molly Abang, the NRM district chairperson of Dokolo with an appointment as Resident District Commissioner. The appointment was pronounced by the president during a rally in Amatiburu Primary School. Information in Dokolo indicates that Abang also expressed interest in the Dokolo District Woman MP race but decided to respect the party constitution by allowing the flag bearer run uninterrupted.
This leaves the Dokolo Woman MP race with five other contenders namely, Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, the daughter of the late MP, Cecilia Ogwal, who is contesting under the FDC ticket, Sarah Aguti Nyangkori of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, Dr. Esther Akullo Obot Otada, an independent and Harriet Ageno of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Rosemary Sseninde, NRM’s Mobilization Director said the party doesn’t buy off people contesting against the flag bearer in an election but rather appeals to the conscience.
