Two in custody for defacing Museveni’s posters in Oyam
According to Sam Owili, the LC1 Chairperson of Teduka Cell in Oyam Town Council, the duo — both mechanics — were seen removing posters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate from electric poles and tearing them to pieces.
“They were caught in the act, destroying the posters that had been properly fixed in public view. Community members alerted the police, who came and arrested them,” Owili said.
OYAM - Two men who allegedly tore down and destroyed campaign posters of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Oyam Town Council are set to appear in court on Monday, police have confirmed.
A police source, who preferred anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the case file has already been sanctioned by the Resident State Attorney. The hearing will take place when the magistrate resumes court in Oyam on Monday.
According to Sam Owili, the LC1 Chairperson of Teduka Cell in Oyam Town Council, the duo — both mechanics — were seen removing posters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate from electric poles and tearing them to pieces.
“They were caught in the act, destroying the posters that had been properly fixed in public view. Community members alerted the police, who came and arrested them,” Owili said.
The North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed the arrests and identified the suspects as Kenneth Onyang and Innocent Odyek, both residents of Oyam Town Council.
Patrick Jimmy Okema
“These two youths are in our custody. Defacing campaign materials of a duly nominated presidential candidate is an offence under the law,” Okema stated. “Once investigations are complete, their file will be forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for further legal action.”
Police sources indicated that the act violates the Presidential Elections Act, 2005, particularly Section 78(2), which states:
“A person who, without lawful authority, removes, tears, defaces or otherwise interferes with a lawful campaign poster of a candidate commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding thirty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.”
The arrests come as political activities intensify across the country ahead of the general elections. Police have cautioned the public to respect campaign materials of all candidates regardless of political affiliation, warning that offenders will face the full force of the law.