Heavy police deployment in Kotido, Sheema, Apac ahead of Friday polls
Police has deployed heavily in Kotido and Apac Municipalities ahead of Friday's parliamentary elections. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Police has deployed heavily in Kotido and Apac Municipalities ahead of Friday's parliamentary elections.
- Both armed police officers and the army were on Wednesday and Thursday seen patrolling the streets in Kotido town.
- Alfonse Ojangole, the Kotido District Police Commander says the heavy deployment is as a result of acts of hooliganism that were experienced during the campaigns.
Police has deployed heavily in Kotido and Apac Municipalities ahead of Friday's parliamentary elections.
Both armed police officers and the army were on Wednesday and Thursday seen patrolling the streets in Kotido town.
Alfonse Ojangole, the Kotido District Police Commander says the heavy deployment is as a result of acts of hooliganism that were experienced during the campaigns.
The areas of Losilang in North Division, Narikapet ward in Central Division and Lokochil in South Division, have been declared hot spots. The areas were marred with chaos as supporters of different candidates fought each other during the campaigns.
But Moses Oriono Okot, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party candidate, says that the deployment is meant to instil fear in his supporters.
However, Peter Abrahams Lokii, the NRM party candidate said he is not aware of the deployment.
Another contestant in the race is Jean Mark Aporu, an independent candidate.
On Wednesday, the People's Progressive Party-PPP candidate, Emmanuel Keem Napuso quit the race.
In the mayoral race, the candidates are NRM's Ismael Muhamad Lomwa, FDC's Calistas Adome Lokwi, PPP's Daniel Abual Kapel and an Independent, Henry Kubal.
In Apac Municipality, hundreds of heavily armed police officers mainly anti-riot and the army were on Thursday morning seen patrolling along major streets of Apac town.
David Ongom Mudong, the North Kyoga regional police spokesperson confirmed the heavy deployment but described it as normal during elections.
In Sheema Municipality, police has called for calm ahead of the elections. Martial Tumusiime the Greater Bushenyi regional police spokesperson says that the police have deployed foot and motorized patrols to ensure that the elections are peaceful.
Last week, rival supporters clashed as each of the groups traded accusations of voter bribery.
The clashes were between the supporters of Virginia Mugyenyi, the FDC candidate and those of Dr Elioda Tumwesigye of the NRM party.
