RDC warns politicians against early campaigns

The Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Darius Nandinda, has warned that politicians involved in early political campaigns face arrest, arguing that such trends are diverting people from carrying out development work in their homes.

Mr Nandinda was on Saturday speaking in Rwakarimira Town Council where the State minister of Planning, Mr David Bahati, delivered 150 iron sheets for roofing dilapidated classroom blocks at Kirwa Primary School.
“Do not listen to those diverting your attention to early campaigns but concentrate on the development activities for your homes and communities. I will cause the arrest of all those politicians involved in early campaigns in this district because they are breaking the law,” he said.

However, Mr Fulgence Turyatemba who is intending to contest for the Ndorwa West constituency parliamentary seat on Forum for Democratic Change party ticket said the RDC too is campaigning for the incumbent National Resistance Movement party Members of Parliament.
“If Mr Nandinda is threatening to arrest intending candidates for engaging in early campaigns, he should also stop campaigning for NRM incumbents in the district so that the ground is levelled for all people to compete favourably.

Threatening intending candidates with arrests is infringing on their rights of freedom of expression,” Mr Turyatemba said.
Mr Nandinda denied campaigning for anybody arguing that all that he is doing is monitoring government programmes and mobilising people to keep supporting the ruling government.

While delivering the donation Mr Bahati said he is not involved in early campaigns but supporting community development since it is his duty as an area Member of Parliament.

He also dismissed as false rumour that the constituency is to be split into two arguing that there is no need since it comprises of only four sub-counties and two town councils.
“Plans are underway to ensure that each sub-county gets a health centre III, secondary school, and primary school at every parish, clean piped water in the whole constituency and electricity connection to all key trading centres, health centres, churches and education institutions,” Mr Bahati said.

He advised those intending to contest for any elective position to follow the Electoral Commission road map.

According to the minister, tarmacking of the 66 km Katuna-Rubaya-Muko Road, will be done by 2020 as pledged by President Museveni in the 2016 general campaigns and that the money for the work has already been earmarked.