DP accuses Police of harassing its candidate

The Democratic Party (DP) has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) following the alleged harassment of their candidate contesting for Omoro district Women MP seat.

Addressing journalists at the party's weekly press briefing on Tuesday, the party's vice president, Fred Mukasa Mbidde said they have petitioned the area Returning Officer to urgently handle the matter.

"We are also writing to the EC chairman and the Inspector General of Police bringing the matter to their attention," he added.

Mbidde alleged that they received reports their candidate Grace Pamela Lanyero, has been receiving frequent calls from the said Gulu District Police Commander (DPC), Denis Kamugisha, late at night with threats.

"Sometimes he has claimed that he has received reports that our candidate has been violating the time limit set for campaigns," he noted.

"Our understanding of electoral laws is that the EC supervises campaigns and therefore if there is any breach, our candidate expects to hear from EC not Police calling at ungodly hours" he added.

Mbidde further noted that if anything, it is the NRM candidate who has been violating electoral rules with impunity, campaigning beyond stipulated times while allegedly guarded by Police and Uganda People's Defence Forces attached to one Brig. Charles Otema.

"If Police is investigating an offense related to campaigns and elections, then they can formally summon our candidate," he added.

He said they have already asked the Omoro district returning officer to convene an urgent meeting to be attended by the candidate, her campaign team and Kamugisha.

Mbidde also down played President Yoweri Museveni's proposal of returning the retired doctors, saying it is not going to change anything until government improves the welfare of health workers.

He attributed the poor health services in the country, to poor planning but not lack of competent medical personnel.

"Government only needs to address the challenges facing the entire sector like poor remuneration of health workers and equipping the centres with necessary apparatus," he said.

Mbidde said many government sectors have broken down because of poor planning.