Two biological brothers were nominated last week to challenge the First Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Moses Ali, for the Adjumani West MP seat.
The brothers – Santos Gabriel Adrawa and Gasper Draga – are both running as Independents.
Mr Adrawa, the younger of the two brothers, said contesting with his elder brother for the same seat is not a problem, saying they are both free to challenge for any elective office. He adds that he is much more popular than his elder brother and stands a better chance of being elected.
“I advised my elder brother to withdraw in my favour but he refused. I wish him the best, but what I know is that he will not make it,” Mr Adrawa said.
On the other hand, Mr Draga, who lost to Gen Ali in 2011, said he has decided to take another shot at the seat because the incumbent has not served the constituency well.
“Our people are very poor because they lack able leadership. I will mobilise the youth and women to form groups so that they can benefit from government programmes,” Mr Draga said.
Mr Draga claimed his younger brother has the backing of people with ulterior motives. Advertisement
“How can someone leave his juicy work in Australia and return home for politics? They are simply using my brother to disorganise my plans,” Mr Draga said of his brother, who has spent about a decade in Australia.
Also in the rather crowded race is Mr Patrick Tandrupasi, 44, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party flag bearer, who has been the LC3 chairperson of Adjumani Town Council since 2011.
Mr Dominic Asusi Andama, 27, has also thrown his hat in the ring as an Independent candidate to challenge the veteran politician, while Mr Henry Ajirika Drasiku, was nominated to run on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket in absentia because he was stuck in Canada.
“I will be on the ground during the campaign period because I have been duly nominated,” Mr Ajirika told Sunday Monitor via WhatsApp.
The other challenger for the seat is Mr Philip Irama Tolu, a former banker who on two previous occasions has lost the NRM primaries to Gen Ali and is now contesting as an Independent.
Gen moses ali
Background: Gen Ali, who in addition to being First Deputy Prime Minister is also the deputy leader of government business in Parliament,- seeking to extend his tenure in Parliament to 31 years.
Aged 81, Gen Ali served as Finance minister in Idi Amin’s government and took up arms to fight for power after Amin was overthrown, forming the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF).
When President Museveni captured power in 1986, Gen Ali joined forces with him through a negotiated settlement, eventually getting elected to represent East Moyo County in the expanded National Resistance Council and later Parliament.
Gen Ali’s tenure in Parliament was broken when he lost the 2006 race to Mr Santos Eruaga Mulago, but he bounced back in 2011.
“I have immensely contributed to the lasting peace which the country is currently enjoying; Uganda has become one of favourable countries in the world for investors and local entrepreneurs to do business,” Gen Ali said as he wooed voters after nomination.
He takes exception to what he sees as his opponents’ Trump card, referring to his age and longevity in power.
“To say you want to replace somebody who is aged is not a plan that can help the public. You will equally become old at some point,” he said.
For any Opinions, breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest articles or Or Exclusive inside Stories; email Uganda Daily on: [email protected].
