Parliamentary nominations open in Hoima amid heightened security
By 8:00am, officers from the Field Force Unit, general duty police, Counter-Terrorism Police, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had been deployed in large numbers on all streets leading to the Hoima City Council nomination centre and other strategic locations across the city.
People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) candidate, Asinasi Nyakato (centre), interacting with Ismael Kasule of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) after their nominations at the electoral commission offices in Hoima City on Tuesday. (Credit: Wilson Asiimwe)
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There was heavy deployment of security personnel in Hoima city on Wednesday, October 22, as the Electoral Commission began the nomination of parliamentary candidates.
By 8:00am, officers from the Field Force Unit, general duty police, Counter-Terrorism Police, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had been deployed in large numbers on all streets leading to the Hoima City Council nomination centre and other strategic locations across the city.
At the Electoral Commission offices in Kijungu Cell, all roads leading to the offices were blocked by police vehicles, allowing access only on foot.
People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) candidate Asinasi Nyakato, after being declared a candidate for the Hoima city Woman MP seat, pledged to continue advocating for improved service delivery for the people.
"We have been advocating for improved service deliveries like good roads and water, and sometimes we have used our personal resources to help the people; we shall continue doing that."
In Hoima city, the competition for space has resulted in the defacing of campaign posters.
Several posters have been plastered on wall fences, electricity poles, and any visible areas across the city. However, they are often removed or replaced under the cover of darkness.
"Most of the posters are at the central market, but the space is limited and that has resulted into defacing others, which are often replaced at night," said Gilbert Manyindo, a trader in Hoima city.
In Hoima district, Pius Wakabi was also nominated on the first day and pledged to continue fighting land grabbing in the district, which he described as a major challenge.
"I have always stood with my people on issues of land, and I will continue doing that because many land grabbers are targeting Bunyoro due to oil and gas developments," Wakabi said.
Wakabi added that he will also continue promoting modern agriculture by providing farmers with machinery such as tractors.
"Through our project of the tractors, many of our farmers are able to open up land and cultivate, and we shall continue supporting them because," Wakabi added.