FDC officials arrested in Butaleja polls

By Daniel Edyegu and Moses Bikala

Police have arrested 10 FDC members including the party deputy president, Salamu Musumba in the Butaleja by-election.

Musumba was apprehended at Busolwe town council on the eve of polling day together with five other party members ; Aggrey Ngobe, Ali Mwiso, Patrick Kayondo, John Muhama and Ramadhan Magula.

Police also arrested Dr. Kizza Besigye’s aides Sam Mugumya and Francis Mwijuke at Busolwe town council. All the suspects were detained at Tororo Police station except Musumba who was transferred to Malaba Police station, at the Uganda-Kenya border.

Mugumya and Mwijuke were arrested at Good Hope Guest House while briefing FDC polling agents.

Vincent Ssekate, the Police deputy spokesperson explained that Musumba and five others were arrested dishing out items to the electorate in Busolwe on the polling eve.

“We arrested her with bars of soap, packets of salt, mattresses, meat and maize flour while distributing to the voters. We are not against politicians from a particular party here, as alleged, but to ensure the polling process is peaceful. Otherwise we arrest all the FDC politicians around,” Ssekate said.

But Felista Namwihiri, the FDC Woman MP candidate who was with Musumba at the time of arrest rubbished the Police accusations.

Florence Nebanda, the NRM candidate cast her ballot at 10:35am at Butaleja headquarters polling station, at the town council. Nebanda said despite the assault of her supporters during the campaigns, she will not contest the outcome of the polls provided they are free and fair.

Betty Hamba, an independent candidate in the race voted at Nakabi polling station, Kachonga Sub County; at 8:15am while Perusi Munaba