Kawempe North by-election will be free and fair, says EC boss
Byabakama offered assurances that the Kawempe North byelection will be free and fair but adding that this can only be achieved if all stakeholders agree to work together.
Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson addressing the media at the EC offices in industrial area. (Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)
By Simon Peter Tumwine
Journalists @New Vision
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Exactly a week from today, registered constituents of Kawempe North will descend on 169 polling stations to vote for their new representative in Parliament, who will replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya.
They will have a varied cast of 10 candidates to choose from.
And as the momentum builds ahead of the March 13 by-election, the Electoral Commission has assured of a free and fair poll.
The assurance by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama on Thursday (March 6) came amid rising concerns over the political environment around the hotly contested by-election.
Before addressing the media, Byabakama had been in a two-hour meeting with a team from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya led the team, which included party flagbearer Elias Nalukoola, who was seen being roughed up by armed personnel following his nomination days earlier.
In that meeting, Rubongoya said he had raised concerns over alleged pre-ticked ballot papers.
“How come that in every by-election, we see people with pre-ticked ballot papers? What happens to those people that are arrested with those ballot papers?"
The NUP secretary general also voiced concern over the continued brutality of NUP leaders and supporters, as well as journalists.
“Our party president was supposed to join his flagbearer on his campaign trail but we all remember the Police brutality that was exhibited the last time he was at Nalukoola’s rally," said Rubongoya.
"We have made it clear to the EC that they can never hold a free and fair election if people are beaten and arrested for no reason.
“We are seeing a number of people doing whatever they want. JAT [Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force] is there beating up people and Police claims that they aren’t part of them. Who are these people beating up our supporters?"
Rubongoya said that as NUP, they do not expect any change in the conduct of security operatives towards their camp.
'Not a mere event'
In his response, Byabakama offered assurances that the Kawempe North byelection will be free and fair but adding that this can only be achieved if all stakeholders agree to work together.
“Working with you and other stakeholders, the commission is tasked with delivering and organizing a free and fair election," said the EC boss.
(L-R), Flavia Nabagabe the National Unity Platform (NUP) head of women league, Counsel Erias Nalukoola the party flag bearer for Kawempe North, Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba the NUP vice president in charge of Western Uganda and David Lewis Rubongoya the party secretary general addressing the media at the EC offices in the Industrial area.
"But as we have said time and again, an election is not a mere event. Every player or stakeholder who has a role to play in any of the activities leading up to polling contributes to a process of a free and fair, peaceful election."
Byabakama said this can only be attained provided "we act through the law, whether a member of security, EC, a political party, supporter or voter".
Stage set
The much-anticipated Kawempe North by-election campaigns continue to hot up in a race featuring five independent candidates — half the total number of contestants.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Ssegirinya in hospital on January 9 this year.
Now in seven days' time, a total of 198,641 voters are expected to show up at the 169 polling stations to exercise their constitutional right to elect their new leader.
The campaigns will end next Tuesday (March 11), two days before polling day.
The candidates eyeing this seat are;
▪️ Faridah Nambi Kigongo (NRM)
▪️ Elias Nalukoola (NUP)
▪️ Sadat Mukiibi aka Khalifah Aganaga (FDC)
▪️ Henry Kasacca Mubiru (DP)
▪️ Ismail Musiitwa (PPP)
▪️ Muhammed Lusswa Luwemba (independent)
▪️ Hanifah Karadi Murewa (independent)
▪️ Muhamood Mutazindwa (independent)
▪️ Moses Nsereko (independent)
▪️ Stanley Edward Maitum Engena (independent)