Opposition coalition criticises NRM elections

Kampala

The Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) has condemned acts of violence witnessed in the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries. “IPC would like to express sympathy with all victims of this NRM violence which we strongly condemn,” the IPC presidential flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye, told journalists in Kampala yesterday. He said: “IPC further condemns all the criminality that have characterised the NRM elections including ballot stuffing, stealing of election materials, forgery, falsification and all forms of unprecedented rigging.”

Dr Besigye said the government should increase security measures as the country goes to polls. Since the onset of all grassroot NRM polls and the ongoing primaries, some districts have become hotspots for violence, intimidation and security has been increased.

Accusations
Dr Besigye also accused NRM leaders of using government vehicles to carry out campaigns. He said they are using police and soldiers to transport ballot papers to the polling centres. “The use and involvement of police and UPDF and all other government departments in partisan NRM activities must stop forthwith because it is in violation of the law,” Dr Besigye said.

The IPC comprises the Conservative Party, the Forum for Democratic Change, the Social Democratic Party and the Justice Forum. Dr Besigye said NRM officials involved in election violence should be prosecuted.

The NRM spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo could not be reached for comment by press time whereas his deputy, Ms Karoro Okurut, was reportedly attending a meeting. On Saturday, President Museveni apologised to supporters of the NRM for the party’s election mess that caused embarrassment to the party leadership.
Mr Museveni, who is also the chairman of the NRM, said the party’s electoral commission was responsible for the mess. The President called for calm, saying the mess would be resolved.