Butaleja By-election: Salaamu Musumba arrested as voting kicks off

The Forum for Democratic Change Vice president Salaamu Musumba was on Sunday evening arrested by police in Butaleja District, adding to a list of arrests of opposition activists in the by-election.

Ms Musumba was intercepted by police at Budumba Bridge, a boundary between Butaleja and Namutumba districts, at about 8:00pm, Sunday evening, and detained at Tororo Central Police Station.

Police say Ms Musumba, also the Kamuli District LC5 Chairperson, was arrested for allegedly inciting violence and voter bribery.

Mr Wafula Oguttu, the FDC spokesman, dismissed the allegations as “rubbish”.

“That is fake because she was going to visit her grandmother in Himutu Sub-county and was carrying sugar and meat for her. Police is making unnecessary arrests because they fear that the NRM will lose the election,” Mr Oguttu said.

The arrest of Musumba brings to three the number of FDC officials being held following the arrests of Mr Francis Mwijukye, a member of the party’s publicity committee, and Mr Sam Mugumya, a member of the youth league, on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, polls for the by-election opened on Monday morning with a low turnout.

The Butaleja District Woman MP seat fell vacant following the death of Cerinah Nebanda in December last year.

Five candidates including Ms Florence Nebanda (NRM), Ms Felista Namwihiri (FDC), Ms Annet Logose, Ms Betty Hamba and Ms Munaba Perusi, all Independents are vying for the seat.

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