The heat has turned up in Kayunga district ahead of the LCV by election slated to take place today. So far, three National Unity Platform-NUP, some journalists and several other people deployed to protect the votes of Harriet Nakwede, the NUP candidate have been arrested.
The NUP members who have been arrested include Aloysius Mukasa, the Lubaga South MP, Charles Tebandeke, Bbaale County and their Busujju county counterpart, Lukyamuzi Kalwanga.
The men were arrested on Wednesday by unidentified security personnel while transporting polling agents to various polling stations within the district.
Also, a Daily Monitor Journalist, Michael Kakumirizi who had traveled to spend a night at Kayunga was picked upon arrival, Julius Mutebi, the Mayor Kira Municipality, and Nakwede’s campaign manager, Ben Kyobe. The last information sent from this team indicated that they had been taken to Naggalama.
According to Alex Kimuli one of the NUP coordinators in Kayunga, the whereabouts of the legislators are not known up to now. Ben Moses Ojambo, the NUP Party Chairperson, says that they are yet to establish the exact number of those missing. According to Ojambo, they have been receiving distressing calls reporting illegal arrests of main coordinators since last night.
Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson couldn’t be reached for comment, while Felix Mugizi the Kayunga District Police Commander, could neither confirm nor deny the arrests.
"I am currently busy in the field contact the PRO for a briefing," Mugizi said.
On Tuesday, security operatives were involved in running battles with NUP supporters in Kayunga. President Yoweri Museveni was in the area to campaign for the NRM candidate, while Robert Kyagulanyi was meant to campaign for his candidate too.
On Wednesday evening, the Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, said they will not allow voter protection groups to move in the district since they are not provided for anywhere in the electoral laws and guidelines.
Voters in Kayunga are casting their votes to elect a replacement for the late Muhammad Ffeffeka Sserubogo, who took his own life a month after being sworn in. Those in the race are Harriet Nakwede (NUP), Andrew Muwonge (NRM), Anthony Waddimba (DP), and Boniface Bandikubi, Jamir Kamoga, and Majid Nyanzi, all independents.
