By Darious Magara
and Goodluck Musinguzi

DELEGATIONS from the US, UK and Netherlands diplomatic missions have arrived in Kabale district to observe the byelections for the Rukiga county parliamentary seat, which take place today.

Also, four commissioners from the Electoral Commission (EC) will be supervising the exercise, according to the Kabale returning officer, Idi Kaahwa.

The EC chairperson, Badru Kiggundu, yesterday said there are 86 polling stations with a total of 43,887 registered voters. The county is comprised of Rwamucucu, Kashambya, Kamwezi and Bukindu sub-counties.

“As far as the EC is concerned, everything that needs to be done has been done. I appeal to Ugandans to remain calm, do what is required of you and stay away from any coercive activities,” Kiggundu said.

The hotly contested by-elections pits Adison Kakuru of the ruling NRM against Jack Sabiiti of the opposition FDC. Other candidates are Amos Mugisha and Medard Gumisiriza, both independents.

Kaahwa said yesterday he had received the polling material from the EC headquarters. The arrival of the material was witnessed by representatives of all the candidates.

Since Rukiga has a record of electoral violence, the Police have deployed in big numbers. “We have deployed adequately to ensure law and order,” said Grace Turyagumanawe, the deputy director of operations.

“I want to assure the people in Rukiga that they are safe and the elections will be secure.” He added that they would not tolerate any beating or intimidation of voters.

The security plan for the polls shows that deployments will be coordinated from Rwamucucu sub-county headquarters. All sub-counties will be manned by senior Police officers, each with a force of 100 Police constables.

The FDC party’s deputy president, Salaamu Musumba, said they have camped in Rukiga to ensure that their votes are not ‘stolen’. Over 400 FDC officials will be in different parts of Rukiga to oversee the polls.

Jack Sabiiti also said FDC MPs and members of the party’s national executive committee will act as polling agents.

In the NRM camp, the state minister for local government, Pereza Ahabwe, said Rukiga had always been an NRM-dominated constituency, adding that they had mobilised enough support to keep the seat.

The Rukiga MP seat fell vacant following the death of Sam Byanagwa (NRM), who succumbed to cancer earlier this year.

President Yoweri Museveni and the FDC leader, Kizza Besigye, last week campaigned for their respective candidates in Rukiga.