NRM, Law Society disagree over Ntungamo clashes

Go Forward rally on Sunday ended in kicks and punches between the supporters of the ruling NRM party and the security detail of John Patrick Amama Mbabazi.


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The NRM statement further expressed concern that the ULS did not cite provisions of the law that punish violence, which the NRM blames on Mr Mbabazi’s supporters

KAMPALA.

The ruling NRM legal department has described as partisan, narrow and lacking context, a public statement issued by Uganda Law Society (ULS) that condemned the interference of NRM members in campaign activities of former prime minister and Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi.

This report comes on the heels of clashes in Ntungamo District last Sunday between people dressed in T-shirts with President Museveni’s portraits and supporters of Mr Mbabazi were involved in violent clashes.

The letter dated December 15, and signed by Mr James Mukasa Sebugenyi, the NRM legal director argues that the ULS statement is based on unverified reports and lacks facts as regards the Ntungamo incident.

ULS had issued a public statement following the clashes that left several people injured. ULS president Ruth Sebatindira expressed concern that NRM supporters have made it a habit to interfere with Mr Mbabazi’s campaign activities.

“… this appears to be a second incident in which this candidate’s activities are interfered with, the earlier one involving a helicopter [landing at Boma Grounds Fort Portal] and defacing campaign posters as well as engaging in provocative activities in favour of one candidate at a venue being used by another candidate,” part of the statement reads.

The statement by ULS cited Section 26 of the Presidential Elections Act 2005, and urged members of the ruling NRM to stop interfering with the Go Forward candidate’s electioneering activities.

“We wish to remind all Ugandans that it is an offence under Section 26 of the residential Elections Act, 2005 to interfere in electioneering activities of any presidential candidate whether directly or indirectly.

It is therefore imperative that all candidates are allowed to fully engage in their respective campaigns with dignity and respect for the highest office in this land,” the ULS statement further reads.

Hitting back
However, the NRM accused the ULS of ignoring the “violence meted out by Mr Mbabazi’s supporters on those found wearing yellow (official NRM party colours) T-shirts.”

“..It appears that the violence part of the incident is of no concern to the ULS and its executive who issued the statement. Your statement creates an impression that ULS condones the violence and that the violence was justifiable,” the NRM team argued.

The NRM statement further expressed concern that the ULS did not cite provisions of the law that punish violence, which the NRM blames on Mr Mbabazi’s supporters.

Nevertheless, the president of the ULS advised members of the public in the statement: “…to observe the law at all times and act maturely in the knowledge that although elections are competitive, the competition is about ideas rather than who is capable of more violence.”

Mr Sebugenyi in the NRM statement argued that the law society did not study the incidents keenly prior to issuing the public statement.

“We trust that you shall now have the time and perspective to review the Ntungamo incident in its proper context, impartiality and with due regard of the law,” he stated.