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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission-EC has blamed police for assisting the National Resistance Movement-NRM party conduct a big procession in the district before the official campaigning date in the Kayunga LC5 by-election.
EC started nomination of candidates vying for the office of LC5 chairperson in Kayunga to replace Ffeffeka Sserubogo, who passed on a month after taking office. The exercise started on Monday.
The EC public relations officer Paul Bukenya says they have cautioned candidates against holding campaigns and processions before December 2, but to their surprise, police has relaxed on the enforcement role which has given the NRM candidate Andrew Muwonge, an opportunity to proceed a procession immediately after his nomination.
Much as Muwonge pledged before the Kayunga Returning Officer Jenipher Kyobutungi to respect the electoral guidelines, immediately after his nomination, he held processions, and planned meetings at the Mayor’s garden before traversing the entire district.
URN witnessed police guiding traffic to create path for the illegal procession. At Gayaza-Jinja-Kayunga junction, traffic was brought to a standstill for about 40minutes.
On Monday, police fired teargas to disperse and also divert boda boda riders who had convened a procession to escort Harriet Nakwede of the National Unity Platform after her nomination.
Police also stopped Anthony Waddimba, the Democratic Party candidate’s procession from entering the district at Bukolooto. Waddimba is dismayed that police have chosen to take sides at the beginning of the election process, wondering what will happen at the voting day.
Ssezibwa Regional Police Commander, Jamiir Kanyesigye declined to say anything about the illegal procession despite being on the ground monitoring the situation.
“I have no comment over that”, Kenyesigye noted.
Six candidates have been nominated to contest for the position of Kayunga LC5 chairperson. They are Harriet Nakwede (NUP), Anthony Waddimba (DP), Andrew Muwonge (NRM), Majid Nyanzi, Boniface Bandikubi and Jamiir Kamoga (Independents).
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