The disgruntled NRM looses who were nominated to contest as independents have vowed not to stand down. At a meeting held this morning at Kati Kati restaurant in Kampala, the group said they will not stand down for NRM candidates despite what they termed as gross intimidation of their supporters by the senior party officials.

Margaret Muhanga

More than 70 candidates who lost in the NRM party primaries for Member of Parliament are competing in the 2011 general elections as independents. The NRM Secretary General recently warned members against standing as independents.

The party has given two ultimatums to independent candidates step-down and stop using party symbols and colours during their campaigns.

The independents who have formed an association today agreed to drop the party’s bus symbol and yellow colour as asked by the party’s secretary general but they will not abandon their candidature for the various seats.

The meeting chaired by Kabalore woman Member of Parliament Magrate Muhanga has warned that such undemocratic move may cost their presidential candidate president Yoweri Museveni  the victory he “deserves in 2011 elections”.

Others present included captain Edward Francis Babu competing for Kampala Mayor and Stephen Kaliba competing for Fort Portal Municipality among other speakers.

By Mugisa Isaac Mathias