Protests foiled, death toll rises to nine

Police have arrested an additional 54 suspects after foiling planned demonstrations in Kampala metropolitan area, bringing the total number of people in custody over election-related offences to 559.

The latest arrests were made yesterday after groups of rowdy youths attempted to stage violent protests by blocking roads and setting tyres ablaze in parts of Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso and Luwero districts.

Speaking to Weekend Vision, the Police’s director of operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa, said the incidents were recorded in Seeta and Sonde in Mukono, Makindye division in Kampala, and parts of Luwero.

“The suspects were involved in planned demonstrations where tyres were set on fire in trading centres and roads blocked,” Mwesigwa said.

Election offences

According to police, many suspects were arrested over several election-related offences, including ballot stuffing, interfering with the electoral process, vandalising vehicles, ferrying voters and incitement to violence.

“These arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in custody to 559,” Mwesigwa said. On Wednesday, police revealed that 505 suspects had been arrested nationwide during the presidential and parliamentary elections. Among them were six security operatives; four police officers and two soldiers, implicated in various forms of electoral malpractice.

The earlier arrests followed isolated incidents of violence, voter bribery, ballot stuffing, obstruction of security personnel, and attacks on police installations.

In Kibuku district, occupants of two vehicles wearing masks stormed the polling area and chased away voters, including polling agents, before ticking ballot papers in favour of one of the candidates before fleeing the scene.

However, police declined to disclose the candidate who was ticked, saying it could jeopardise their ongoing investigations. Police said the incident is under review to establish the motive, including whether the act was deliberate or intended to undermine a particular candidate.

Seven killed in Butambala

Meanwhile, police confirmed that seven people were shot dead in Butambala district after a violent confrontation between security forces and a group of suspected goons in the early hours of Friday.

Mwesigwa said the incident occurred at around 3:00am at the junction of Butambala and Gomba districts, where a group of youths allegedly led by Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi, reportedly blocked the road using tyres and other materials. Kivumbi has since lost the seat to Eriasa Sserunjogi, an independent candidate.

“The group also attacked Kibibi Police Station, prompting security forces to repel the attack,” Mwesigwa said.

As a result, seven of the attackers were shot dead, while 25 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.

The latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths linked to election-related violence to nine.

On Wednesday, two people were shot dead on the spot in Lwemiyaga, Ssembabule district, while another person later died at a health facility in Bukedi North after sustaining gunshot wounds during an election-related fracas.

According to 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.

Arrests elsewhere

Police also reported arrests in several other districts following election-related incidents. In Kanungu district, two campaign agents for James Kaberuka, who was contesting for Kinkizi West seat on the National Resistance Movement ticket, were arrested over allegations of inciting violence.

In Kapchorwa district, the driver of a motor vehicle registration number UG 0216D, was arrested over allegations of voter bribery. In Rakai district, one suspect was arrested for allegedly assaulting Police Constable Francis Obadiha.

Meanwhile, Kampala metropolitan regional Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala told New Vision that in Kawempe, a section of youths blocked a road using some big pipes in Kawempe and Nabweru in Nansana municipality, claiming their candidates were cheated during the Thursday elections.

“Luckily, our officers got intelligence information and swiftly restored order in most of the areas where these youths had staged their demonstrations,” said Kawala.

The rioters lit fire in the middle of the roads and also poured garbage onto roads so as to block them. Without specifying the exact number of the suspects arrested, Kawala said their officers were still on the ground to ensure peace in the affected areas.

Other areas where police intervened include Seeta in Goma division, Mukono municipality, Salaama Road and Katwe in Makindye division, Kaleerwe in Kawempe division, and Kabowa in Rubaga division.

Kawala said those arrested have been detained at different police stations. “After gathering our evidence, we shall arraign the suspects before court on charges of participating in unlawful demonstrations.”

She appealed to those who are not satisfied with the election outcome to seek redress from the courts of law instead of resorting to demonstrations.

Operations ongoing

Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa said: “Security operations are still active, especially during the tallying and counting process, to ensure law and order is maintained.”

Ahead of polling, police heightened deployment in 13 districts identified as election hotspots.Mwesigwa listed the areas as Kisekka, Kawempe and Makindye in Kampala; Kira and Nansana municipalities in Wakiso district; as well as Lira, Iganga, Mbale, Jinja, Luwero, Mityana, Ssembabule, Lugazi, Mpigi and Busia districts. 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.

He further informed that police and sister security agencies deployed personnel tactically from the village level up to district headquarters.

“All villages, trading centres, town councils, municipalities, and cities are effectively covered under our deployment plan,” he said. Mwesigwa added that foot and motorised patrols were reinforced across the country, 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,” the Police’s director of operations said.