A group of National Unity Platform (NUP) officials and journalists were assaulted in Nameere, Kawempe North, during a raid on a residential home where individuals were suspected of pre-ticking ballot papers.
According to David Lewis Rubongoya, NUP’s secretary general, the party received information the previous night about alleged electoral malpractice at a residence guarded by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). On Wednesday, Rubongoya, accompanied by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi and NUP flagbearer Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, arrived at the residence.
Ssenyonyi claims that they received intelligence at the start of the week from neighbours – indicating that Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi had frequented this house in the past few days. However Mucunguzi in response denied knowledge of the house or any involvement in the malpractice, accusing Ssenyonyi of maligning and defaming him.
When they got in, they found people plucking number plates off vehicles that were in the compound. In past by-elections elsewhere, it is such vehicles that have been used for malpractice.
Present at the house were Charles Lwanga, Nansana Municipality Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Luuka deputy RDC Hassan Sembalirwa. They encountered resistance from soldiers and armed individuals in civilian clothing guarding the premises. The situation quickly escalated into violence, with soldiers assaulting Rubongoya and several journalists.
Vehicles belonging to Nalukoola and Ssenyonyi were also damaged, with their windows shattered by stones. Steven Kibwiika, a camera operator from Spark TV, suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized after being assaulted.
His camera equipment was also confiscated. According to Ssenyonyi, efforts to seek assistance from the police were met with reluctance. Ssenyonyi has called on the Electoral Commission to issue a statement clarifying whether it is indeed overseeing the Kawempe North by-election.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Police Force has heightened security measures ahead of the elections, with all security agencies on high alert to counter potential election-related violence. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango stated that proactive steps have been taken to mitigate any threats.
“The patrol groups will comprise the Field Force Unit, General Duty Police, Military Police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces, and 999 patrol vehicles. Intelligence agencies have mapped out black spots during these by-elections, and security agencies are going to deploy in these areas and maintain dominance,” Onyango said.
Indeed for NUP that is aspiring to unite the whole of Uganda in democracy, do not look back in your efforts and say that we did not tell you so! Such electrol malpractice is unprecedented in the Kingdom state of Buganda. This is an Ancient African Kingdom that has lost thousands of its people in several brutal protracted civil wars to fight blatant corruption in the Uganda Central government since the independence of Buganda and Uganda 9th October,1962. Presently that is why the Royalists advise the Ganda Kingdom not to continue to participate in national elections because they are not free and fair!
The baganda made a mistake the whole tribe will live to regret, Supporting a refugee in the name of restoring the kingdom. that was a mistake, now look his son is the commander the army, his brother controls the money, his son in law controls trade
I do not agree. Every dynamic and progressive society must experience some set backs. My view is that there is nothing regretable about the restoration of Buganda Kingdom. Eyali affudde….
No ! This is not about participating in national elections or not. The northern region , particulary Acholi and Teso lost more people to Museveni`s brutality. Over 150 people in Kasese were massacred in a day. I don`t think Museveni will suddenly change his mind just because some sections of society have chosen not to continue to express their discontentment through the electoneering process. If anything , Museveni will enjoy hearing the silence.
Why is this mere one seat a matter of life and death? Is Uganda such a backward barbaric state where life is valueless and the important thing is power and money?
We are a disgrace in the whole universe
It’s such a pity that our motherland has ended up in this situation just because of a leader who thinks it’s only him and his family and a few close are the only ones who can lead this country.
GOD is in control
Kent Mawa you have a point. It is very clear that this long serving African President does not mind any more about what the decent citizens of Uganda are telling him. Such an African dictator does not deserve to govern an independent and free nation like Uganda. If he cannot resign one believes he is going to taste the historical political pressures this country continuesly exerts to African leaders who stubbornly refuse to go back willingly to their homes! Unfortunately during their uphazard rule, they pick up that attractive proposition to make the former British Governor’s State House their permanent family home!
Kabayekka Ssebo ,I am about that age where I can definately say I have seen this before. I was right there when UPC and UNLA thugs descended on all Kampala suburbs and ghetos causing hell night and day. They raped killed and plundered at will. I saw trucks with ” Grow More Coffee” being loaded by young people in panda gari operations. I see the same happening in Kawempe these days.
The only difference between now and then is that today`s NUP leaders and supporters are not easily phased or scattered out by all the horrible things that is happening to them. Imagine one 30 year old Olivia Lutaaya walking out of prison after 4 years , straight back to wearing that red dungarees-
I was impressed when I saw NUP leaders going back to their heavily plundered Head Quaters only hours after state thugs had been there. I think the goons were still inside when NUP leaders went in . I have seen some NUP people limping back to their stations immediately after being vomitted by these hynas.
I see a lot of courage from some of these young Ugandans .
That is why I have zero problems if they chose to participate in elections that they surely can win but lose out to an EDD case of a president .
Kent Mawa you have a point.
“I see a lot of courage from some of these African young Ugandans .
That is why I have zero problems if they chose to participate in elections that they surely can win but lose out to an EDD case of a president .” Indeed Dr Besigye and his followers had the same courage three more times. If it was not the problem of age, he would probably persevere to win elections in Uganda. Mind you for some years back he was a great friend of this brutal African President!