EC reaps more blood than ballots

In what has been described as possibly the worst local council elections ever in Uganda’s recent history, several parts of the country yesterday erupted in sporadic violence sparked off by allegations of ballot stuffing, voter bribery and pre-ticking of ballot papers.
The military and police were deployed heavily across the country in anticipation of violence. In Kampala, security has been on high alert since the presidential and parliamentary elections. This, however, did not stop skirmishes in hotspots of Mengo, Rubaga, Nansana, Bwaise, Nakawa and Makindye.
Several people, including a Channel 44 journalist, were shot and injured as security personnel fought running battles with supporters of mayoral candidates Erias Lukwago and NRM’s Peter Ssematimba, who apparently, had been fighting from 3am on the eve of yesterday’s botched Kampala mayoral elections.
By last evening over 81 people were going to spend the night behind bars over electoral-related violence incidents. At least 14 were detained at the Central Police Station in Kampala for assault.

Eastern mess
In eastern Uganda, the army was deployed in Budaka after supporters of two local council candidates got in a fight over alleged ballot stuffing. Supporters of Mr Sam Mulomi accused his opponent Mr Arthur Mboni, of ballot-stuffing. Two ballot boxes with stuffed ballot papers were allegedly discovered in a house belonging to one of Mr Mboni’s supporters. Meanwhile, several of Mr Mulomi’s supporters were also found ballot-stuffing.
In Kibuku, LC5 candidate Charles Kadyama was attacked and beaten into coma allegedly by unknown armed men at 11pm on Tuesday. Mr Kadyama, an independent, was waylaid on his way home at Nampito village. By press time, he was still in critical condition at Mbale Hospital. The District Police Commander, Mr Godfrey Achila said they were investigating the matter.
In Jinja, activities at two polling stations were paralysed. At a polling station in Mafubira Sub-county headquarters, skirmishes broke out over allegations of ballot stuffing. Mr Robert Kanusu, the Uganda Peoples Congress candidate for the district chairmanship, who is also the party president’s spokesman, attacked Ms Rachael Wakaisuka, the presiding officer, on suspicion that she was conniving with his opponent.
Mr Kanusu said he found unknown people with blank ballot papers. He kicked and broke several ballot boxes leaving ballot papers flying in the air. It is alleged that he may have also assaulted Mr Deo Karibara, an election observer.
He later fled the scene in a supporter’s vehicle after a police officer threatened to shoot him. Mr Kanusu was later spotted at neighbouring Kayunga B polling station where skirmishes soon erupted.
District Police CommanderJonathan Musinguzi rushed to Kayunga B polling and ordered for Mr Kanusu’s immediate arrest on charges of interfering with the voting process and assault.
Attempts to reach Mr Kanusu were unsuccessful as his known phone numbers went unanswered. By yesterday afternoon police had restored order and voting continued.

Relative calm
In the Southwestern region, police and the military were also heavily deployed although elections were held in relative calm. The regional police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, said no chaotic scenes were detected.
“No cases of electoral offences have been registered so far,” she said.
But in the West Nile region, voter bribery was reportedly on an all time high yesterday. Seven people were arrested in connection with bribing voters.
In Paidha, at Oturugang Primary School polling station, two people were arrested as they dished out money. One of those arrested, Mr Francis Apiliga, who also works as a freelance journalist for a daily newspaper in Kampala, was apparently a presiding officer. Although he denied the allegations, he was detained for five hours before he secured a police bond.
Mr Ignatius Dragulu, the officer in-charge of Electoral and Political Crime, told Daily Monitor that Apiliga will be re-arrested and charged.
“We are carrying out more investigations and his file will be kept until courts open because this is a serious electoral offence,” he said.
In Zombo District, two people were arrested as they were trying to dish out money to voters. The secretary for production in Zombo, Mr Dominic Kerlonyo, dramatically fled from police after he was caught distributing Shs500 each to voters he came across. His motorcycle was impounded by police. He is still on the run.
In Gulu, Mr Patrick Oola Lumumba, a mayoral candidate for Gulu Municipality, was arrested for allegedly campaigning at a polling station. Mr Lumumba was arrested at Kasubi parish in Bardege Division after he drove to one of the polling stations with his campaign posters pinned all over his vehicle.
Mr Lumumba is contesting against Mr Alex Otim (independent), George Labeja (NRM), and Robert Adongakulu of DP.

Reporting by J. Njoroge, M. Kolyangha, Alfred Tumushabe, John Emojong, James Eriku, W. Felix, Patrick Ongom, Patrick Okaba, Robert Atiku, Peter Aligo, Robert Elema, Martin Okudi, John Awuku, Felix Basiime, Francis Mugerwa, Geoffrey Mutegeki, Joseph Mugisa, George Muzoora, Michael Ssali, Opio Caleb, A. Gulumaire, F. Nalubega & F. Lanyero.