MP Ssewungu pledges to fund LCI elections, avert kidnaps in Kalungu

Kalungu West Member of Parliament, Mr Joseph Ssewungu. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Ms Nanyanzi also informed people that they risk being arrested if they go ahead to join Mr Ssewungu because they (security) have not yet received an official communication from the EC.
  • The government last year had declared that the election of village councils would be held on November 21 with the registered members lining up behind a candidate of their choice, but up to now, nothing is done.

KALUNGU. The Kalungu West Member of Parliament, Mr Joseph Ssewungu, has pledged to organize the long awaited Local Council elections in Kalungu District, a move he believes can stop the infamous kidnaps.

While addressing the people of Kyamulibwa Sub-County in Kalungu District over the weekend, Mr Ssewungu said the absence of functional local council officials is fueling crimes, including the infamous kidnaps in the country.

He said since the government is not ready to release money for Local Council elections, he is ready to use his own money to hold all the elections in the entire district.

"I am ready to invest my money in the electoral process come next month for as long as the district gets representatives at the local council levels. You can't curb crime without these local leaders" Mr Ssewungu said.

The outspoken legislator's decision came after the kidnap and murder of a 17-year-old Rose Nakisekka, a resident of Kigo Villa-Maria in Kalungu District.

Nakisekka was kidnapped a week ago and her body was found in Nalumunye on Monday after the alleged kidnapper led police to where it was dropped.

The deceased's parents said the kidnappers informed them that Nakisekka was killed after their failure to raise a ransom of Shs5m, but they were however told to pay Shs150, 000 to send them their daughter’s body on top of Shs1million they had sent.

“I contributed Shs1 million when Nakisekka was kidnapped and this was because the parents never had any coin in their pockets to send to the kidnappers,” Mr Ssewungu explained.

Mr Ssewungu vowed not to sit back as his people are kidnaped.

"The whole country is on tension and I am not ready to sit behind and watch the ongoing film in the country.”

He notes that he is in the process of registering all the people ready to contest in the LCI elections.

He adds that all parties will be considered because what is going on is affecting all colours.

“You youths must grow, this situation is affecting mostly you and if the process begins, I expect you to participate much,” Ssewungu said, calling upon police to support him on this.

He plans to hold a meeting with security operatives in a couple of days to inform them about his forth coming exercise.

However, when Daily Monitor contacted MS Sarah Nanyanzi, the Kalungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner about Ssewungu’s plans, she labeled the legislator's move as ‘fake’, warning him to halt it before he is charged.

“Security has learnt that Mr Ssewungu is holding various campaigns in the district preaching about his plans of organizing the LCI elections, but we shall not allow him to disorganize the district with his politics,” Ms Nanyanzi warned.

Ms Nanyanzi also informed people that they risk being arrested if they go ahead to join Mr Ssewungu because they (security) have not yet received an official communication from the EC.

The government last year had declared that the election of village councils would be held on November 21 with the registered members lining up behind a candidate of their choice, but up to now, nothing is done.