Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has described as treasonous, actions by the Democratic Party (DP) candidate in the forthcoming by-election for the Busia District LC5 seat, Mr Deo Njoki Hasubi after it emerged that he is set to pave way for an NRM candidate.
Mr Habusi is reported to be on the verge of quitting the race after being appointed a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
Mr Hasubi is the only Opposition candidate in the race, was nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) last week.
However, in a November 10 letter addressed to the DP secretary general, he said if approved by Parliament, he will consider serving the country as a member of UHRC rather than stay in the race.
Lukwago took to his facebook to condemn the ‘betrayal’ of the DP man.
“You painstakingly pursue a protracted legal battle up to the last appellate court and cause a byelection; you successfully get nominated as the sole candidate for all the pro-change forces and political organisations; you roll out a campaign program and mobilise resources from colleagues for a noble cause; and, then, take a unilateral decision to pull out of the race because of a job offer from your adversaries!! My brother DEO HASUBI NJOKI, what you have done is treasonable!” Lukwago posted.
However, according to the letter, Mr Njoki said the UHRC nomination was made way back before the programme for the Busia by-election had been announced.
“The timing for the appointment, after the nominations closed on November 7, 2018, did not leave opportunity for the parties that sponsored and supported my candidature to nominate an alternative candidate. It was outside my control,” the letter reads in part.