The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye is the MP-elect for the new municipality of Sheema, after being announced as the winner in the just concluded election.
Dr Elioda who was contesting on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket was declared winner on Friday by Deborah Asiimwe, the Sheema District Returning Officer.
The other candidates in the race were Virginia Plan Mugyenyi (FDC), and five other aspirants; Benjamin Ruyombya, Ambrose Mwesigye, Jonas Tumwiine, Meshach Katusiime and Raymond Kamugisha, all on independent ticket.
Elioda got a comfortable lead after polling 13,590 votes, followed by FDC’s Virginia Plan who got 11, 489 votes.
Benjamin Ruyombya got 867 votes, Meshach Katusiime (756) and Raymond Kamugisha (276), Ambrose Mwesigye (32) and Jonas Tumwiine (185).
Elioda Tumwesigye has been the Member of Parliament for Sheema North, but in May this year expressed interest in running for the seat in the newly created Municipality.
The move was challenged by Kampala based lawyer, David Kamukama who said a serving MP could not run for a parallel Parliamentary election. However, the Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama wrote to the NRM Deputy Electoral Commission Chairman, stating that Minister Elioda didn’t need to resign his ministerial or parliamentary seat to contest in the new Sheema municipality.
Now, the Electoral Commission will have to organize fresh elections in Sheema North county whose Parliamentary seat is now vacant.