Several arrested over election violence in Mwenge North

Kyenjojo, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | Kyenjojo police are holding several people believed to have caused violence on the eve of and during the Mwenge North parliamentary elections. Voters in Mwenge North went to the polls on Monday to elect their MP following the cancellation of the previous elections because of a mix-up in the names and symbols of two of the four candidates on the ballot papers. 

The photo of David Muhumuza, the National Resistance Movement – NRM candidate was attached to the name and symbol of independent candidate Politazi Mulimbanyi. Mulimbanyi’s photo was attached to Muhumuza’s name and bus symbol.  

The other candidates in the race are Innocent Natukunda of the National Unity Platform – NUP party and incumbent and independent candidate, Lawrence Akugizibwe. The mix-up in the campaign symbols confused the voters prompting the Returning Officer, Daniel Baguma to halt voting.

Electoral Commission set today as the new date for voting.  However, Kyenjojo District Police Commander – DPC, Julius Banganza, says several people engaged in electoral violence on Sunday and this morning leading to their arrest. Our reporter established that at around 10:30 am, Akugizibwe’s supporters blocked a supporter of Muhumuza, Diviko Musinguzi at Kifuka trading centre leading to violence.

Akugizibwe’s supporters were in a Tipper Reg. No. UBH 396Q and used it to block an Allex vehicle Reg. No. UBB 410R in which Musinguzi was travelling. Its rearview glass screen was smashed with a stone forcing him to park it at Kifuka police post. Vincent Muhangi, a resident of Mbale cell in Kifuka Town Council was cut on the head with a sharp object while at his home on Sunday night. 

Muhangi suspects that the attack is connecting to his support for a candidate in the race that he didn’t disclose.  Abdulazizi Akugizibwe, also a resident of Mbale was cut with a sharp object on his right hand. He says that some people he did not disclose had trailed him on his way home and cut him on Sunday night.

Even though Baganza could not tell the exact number of suspects they arrested, he said several people are locked up at Kyenjojo Central Police Station on allegations of masterminding the violence. He says that when time is due, the number and identities of the suspects will be disclosed. The army and police have maintained heavy deployment in Mwenge North where some polling stations have now started the vote-counting process.  

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