Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) has suffered a huge blow after its candidate in the Gogonyo Constituency byelection pulled out of the race in favour of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Derrick Orone.
Okoboi withdrew from the race after meeting Papa Paul Sande Emorot, the Emorimori of Iteso.
In a statement issued at 11am on August 07, Emorot of the Iteso Cultural Union, Okoboi’s decision was meant for the unity of the Iteso people and followed meetings to discuss the matter of the NUP politician’s candidature in any elective roles in Gogonyo.
“By virtue of the authority entrusted upon me, I Papa Lo Iteso, the Emorimori of the Iteso Cultural Union, I have had Cordial discussions with my son Mr. Joseph Okoboi Opolot of Gogonyo, Paliisa District on various matters of common interest pertaining to the unity of our people the ITESO and the country at large,” read Emorot’s statement in part.
“Upon my advice and in the interest of our people and the unity of the region, he has agreed to step aside and withdraw his candidature for any leadership role in Gogonyo.”
The exit of Okoboi now leaves the Gogonyo byelection a two-horse race between Orone and Issa Bantalib Taligola.
This move will come as disappointing for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), which had withdrawn its candidate to support NUP’s Okoboi in the name of opposition unity. (Read Story Here).
Coming up on August 11, the Gogonyo byelection will follow the controversial Soroti East byelection. Discussions on the election even saw government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo almost punch Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago in a show that was televised live on NBS. (Read Story and Watch the Video Here and There).
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