505 arrested over electoral malpractices

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Six security operatives, including four police officers and two soldiers, are among the 505 suspects arrested over electoral malpractices nationwide during the presidential and parliamentary elections held yesterday, the Police has revealed.

The arrests followed isolated incidents of violence, voter bribery, ballot stuffing, obstruction of security personnel and attacks on police facilities, according to the Police director of operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa.

Despite the incidents, Police described the elections as largely peaceful across most parts of the country, attributing the calmness to heightened vigilance, early deployment of security personnel and co-ordination among sister security agencies.

Speaking to New Vision yesterday evening, Mwesigwa said the joint security taskforce had managed to swiftly neutralise election-related disturbances in several districts.

“Overall, the elections have been peaceful across the country, save for a few isolated incidents that were promptly managed,” Mwesigwa said.

Security personnel arrested

Mwesigwa revealed that four police officers were arrested in Isingiro district on allegations of ballot stuffing, while two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers were arrested in Namutumba district for allegedly obstructing the electoral process.

“The remaining 499 suspects were arrested in connection with various election-related offences, including attacks on police officers, voter protection violations, ferrying of voters and incitement to violence,” he said.

The arrested suspects are being held at various police stations across the country as investigations continue.

Shootings, arrests

Mwesigwa also confirmed that three people were shot dead in separate incidents. Two were killed on the spot in Lwemiyaga, Ssembabule district, while another victim later died at a health facility in Bukedi North after being shot in election fracas.

According to the Police, the Bukedi North victim was shot after he allegedly attacked the regional police commander for Bukedi North, John Bosco Otim.

“He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the health facility,” Mwesigwa said.

Police reported several arrests in various districts over election-related disturbances.

In Kayunga district, 45 suspects were arrested on the eve of the elections after violence broke out, leaving two people with gunshot injuries.

Mwesigwa said investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the fracas.

Other 41 suspects were detained at Nagalama Police Station on various offences.

In Kalungu district, two people were shot dead by a candidate’s bodyguards on allegations of ferrying voters and stuffing pre-ticked ballots.

Police said the identities of the shooters have been withheld to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.

In Buyende district, 120 suspects were arrested, while 23 others were netted in Kaberamaido district following an attack on the Central Police Station.

In Butambala district, 30 non-residents were intercepted while being ferried to polling stations allegedly to vote illegally.

Police also arrested 34 suspects in Maddu, Gomba district, while 50 others were picked up at Rwentanga Government Farm in Mbarara district.

In Kyengera, Wakiso district, 28 people were intercepted as they attempted to travel to Mityana district to vote, while 14 suspects were arrested in Kamuli district.

At Matugga, still in Wakiso, Police arrested 15 youths who reportedly attempted to attack a police station.

By press time, Mwesigwa, who had been monitoring hotspots using a police helicopter, confirmed that the situation in Matugga had been brought under control.

Matugga lies within Nansana municipality, one of the 13 districts earlier identified as election hotspots. Lyantonde district also recorded 101 arrests linked to election-related violence and illegal activities.

Earlier in the day, gunfire rent the air after a group of voters allegedly led by the area village chairperson attacked security operatives at Bubere within Wakiso.

“The situation was later controlled after soldiers from the Special Forces Command and UPDF beefed up police,” Mwesigwa said , adding that several suspects were arrested.

At Ggaba in Makindye division, Kampala, tension briefly flared at around 11:00am when voters grew impatient after waiting in long queues and began banging polling station gates.

Initially, only election constables equipped with batons, were present at the polling stations. UPDF soldiers were later deployed to reinforce security and restore order.

The soldiers, who operate from a nearby camp along Ggaba road, later patrolled the area to deter further disturbances.

Shifra Lukwago, a commissioner at Uganda Human Rights Commission, moved across several polling stations and observed that while the voting exercise was generally orderly, there were concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Biometric Voter Verification (BVV) machines.

“The process has been mostly calm, but the performance of the BVV machines remains an issue that needs to be interrogated,” Lukwago said.

Tension in Rubaga South

In Rubaga parish within Rubaga South Constituency, tension briefly disrupted at David Nabunya Home Parking polling station.

The area was initially calm, with a group of people seated across the road claiming they were safeguarding the vote. At about 1:30pm, Rubaga South parliamentary candidate Samuel Lubega Mukaaku of the Democratic Front arrived and cast his vote.

Moments later, as Mukaaku addressed journalists, an unmarked drone arrived and attempted to park near the polling station.

The vehicle’s arrival caused panic, prompting voters to flee while hurling stones at the drone.

In Kira municipality within Wakiso, police foiled attempts by a group of youths dressed in yellow T-shirts and wearing masks from robbing pedestrians and vandalising vehicles.

The youths fled after spotting a police patrol arriving. Two weeks before polling day, police issued warnings about criminals disguising themselves as politicians’ supporters to commit crimes during campaigns.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said criminals had been using party T-shirts and colours to infiltrate campaign events and steal phones, cash and other valuables.

“These criminals have even attacked mobile money outlets under the cover of campaign crowds. We shall deal with them decisively,” Kituuma warned recently while addressing the press.

13 election hotspots

Ahead of the elections, police heightened deployment in 13 districts identified as hotspots.

Mwesigwa named the areas as Kisekka, Kawempe and Makindye in Kampala; Kira municipality and Nansana municipality in Wakiso and Lira, Iganga, Mbale, Jinja, Luwero, Mityana, Ssembabule, Lugazi, Mpigi and Busia. Uganda has a total of 146 districts.

“The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, authorised a heavy security presence in the identified hotspots to ensure public safety,” Mwesigwa said.

Mwesigwa said police and sister security agencies had deployed manpower tactically from village level up to districts.

“All villages, trading centres, town councils, municipalities, and cities are effectively covered in our deployment plan,” he said.

He added that foot and motorised patrols were reinforced nationwide, alongside the installation of special checkpoints and enhanced traffic enforcement.

“Our task teams are stationed at strategic points to respond swiftly to any election-related incidents,” Mwesigwa said.

Compiled by Simon Masaba, Johnpaul Opio, Ibrahim Ruhweza, Violet Nabatanzi