A section of candidates from the Forum for Democratic Change- FDC
party are struggling to canvass for votes due to financial challenges.
The candidates argue that they have not been facilitated them.
James Oluka, the FDC flag bearer for Kumi LCV seat says he has failed to print
campaign posters since he was nominated two months ago.
Oluka says that his party assured him that they would pay the costs for his
campaign posters, which they haven’t. Oluka, who has been volunteering with
Action Aid to facilitate field activities in Kumi, is struggling to reach
voters on foot because he doesn’t have any transport means.
//Cue in “I find it…
Cue out…who I am”//
Lawrence Engalu, local artiste and FDC flag bearer for Kumi Municipality
Mayoral seat says that he walks more than seven kilometres each day canvassing
for votes because of financial constrained. Engalu notes that with the
overwhelming demand from voters and his campaign team, he is stressed to
continue with campaigns.
// cue in “Me and the chairperson…
Cue out…without posters”//
But Abdullah Ebokorait, the Chairperson of FDC in Kumi District says the party
supported all the party flag bearers to pay their nomination fees and printing of
posters for few of their candidates.
He explained that he has not received any formal communication
from the head office about the money meant to facilitate candidates during
campaigns.
During nominations, FDC almost missed fielding candidate for LCV in Kumi when
Robert Odiope, the then choice for the party was bounced by Electoral
Commission over lack of the required academic credentials. The party then
swiftly presented Oluka who was later nominated at the last minute since he had
not collected the required signatures of supporters by the time he was
hand-picked for nominations.
Edward Eninu
Mark Okello
Freelancer