29 injured in Kampala poll violence
AT least 100 people were arrested in Kampala city and the countryside over involvement in violence and malpractices in yesterday’s bungled election exercise.
By Herbert Ssempogo and Steven Candia
AT least 100 people were arrested in Kampala city and the countryside over involvement in violence and malpractices in yesterday’s bungled election exercise.
Most of those rounded up in Kampala were involved in brawls in several suburbs following allegations of ballot stuffing.
According to the Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, 52 men were found near a nightclub in Bwaise as they allegedly prepared to disrupt elections in the busy suburb.
Mukono municipality MP Betty Nambooze is said to have recruited the gang detained at Kawempe Police Station.
A man only identified as Sserunjogi, Nabakooba said, briefed them about their task and wages. Nambooze was not available for comment.
By 2:00pm, the suspects had recorded statements as investigations continued.
At the city’s central Police station, 14 people were behind bars in connection with beating up traders at Nakasero market in Kampala. This group accused the traders of planning to steal votes in favour of Peter Ssematimba, a mayoral candidate.
Old Kampala Police Station was holding eight people over disrupting the exercise, while Katwe Police Station detained nine people for campaigning at polling stations.
Only one suspect, Noeline Namuddu, was being held at Wandegeya Police Station over rigging allegations.
Nabakooba announced that Busiro East MP-elect Medard Ssegona would be probed in connection with interfering in the exercise near Buganda Road.
“What was he doing there since he is not a polling official? Why was he counting the ballot papers?†she asked.
Nabakooba also disclosed that three polling officials were in custody after people accused them of malpractices. Ronald Sseruwagi, Florence Kyomuhendo and Johnson Nsemerwa were in charge of the Railway Station centre.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, ordered the Criminal Investigation Directorate to investigate those behind the chaos.
Kayihura hailed the public for their vigilance and cooperating with the Police.
During the violence, 28 people sustained injuries. A total of 23 were admitted to Mulago Hospital, two to Rubaga Hospital, while three were receiving treatment at Mengo Hospital.
Among those at Mulago were Ashraf Bebulanda, Jacob Mugalu, Joseph Ssekyewa and Michael Bagenda.
Uganda Red Cross Society spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde said they had provided first aid to the injured.
In Kibuku district, supporters of LC5 candidate Charles Kediama stoned a Police patrol truck at midnight, injuring four officers.
The injured were identified as Godfrey Mikisa, Baker Anyongeire, Steven Kalireko and Harriet Muloni.
At least 15 suspects, including Kediama, were detained at Kibuku Police Station, the eastern Police spokesperson, Diana Nandawula, announced.
In Bulengeni, Bulambuli sub-county in Mbale, a mob blocked the roads, denying voters access to the polling centres. Voting was also cancelled due to the chaos. No arrests were made.
Noah Sserunjogi, the southern region spokesperson, said in Kalungu district, Fred Kyeyune was held over impersonation.
Nabakooba appealed for calm as the Electoral Commission decides when fresh polls would be held.
** Related stories on www.elections2011.co.ug
** Type EC and send to 8338 for updates
AT least 100 people were arrested in Kampala city and the countryside over involvement in violence and malpractices in yesterday’s bungled election exercise.
Most of those rounded up in Kampala were involved in brawls in several suburbs following allegations of ballot stuffing.
According to the Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, 52 men were found near a nightclub in Bwaise as they allegedly prepared to disrupt elections in the busy suburb.
Mukono municipality MP Betty Nambooze is said to have recruited the gang detained at Kawempe Police Station.
A man only identified as Sserunjogi, Nabakooba said, briefed them about their task and wages. Nambooze was not available for comment.
By 2:00pm, the suspects had recorded statements as investigations continued.
At the city’s central Police station, 14 people were behind bars in connection with beating up traders at Nakasero market in Kampala. This group accused the traders of planning to steal votes in favour of Peter Ssematimba, a mayoral candidate.
Old Kampala Police Station was holding eight people over disrupting the exercise, while Katwe Police Station detained nine people for campaigning at polling stations.
Only one suspect, Noeline Namuddu, was being held at Wandegeya Police Station over rigging allegations.
Nabakooba announced that Busiro East MP-elect Medard Ssegona would be probed in connection with interfering in the exercise near Buganda Road.
“What was he doing there since he is not a polling official? Why was he counting the ballot papers?†she asked.
Nabakooba also disclosed that three polling officials were in custody after people accused them of malpractices. Ronald Sseruwagi, Florence Kyomuhendo and Johnson Nsemerwa were in charge of the Railway Station centre.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, ordered the Criminal Investigation Directorate to investigate those behind the chaos.
Kayihura hailed the public for their vigilance and cooperating with the Police.
During the violence, 28 people sustained injuries. A total of 23 were admitted to Mulago Hospital, two to Rubaga Hospital, while three were receiving treatment at Mengo Hospital.
Among those at Mulago were Ashraf Bebulanda, Jacob Mugalu, Joseph Ssekyewa and Michael Bagenda.
Uganda Red Cross Society spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde said they had provided first aid to the injured.
In Kibuku district, supporters of LC5 candidate Charles Kediama stoned a Police patrol truck at midnight, injuring four officers.
The injured were identified as Godfrey Mikisa, Baker Anyongeire, Steven Kalireko and Harriet Muloni.
At least 15 suspects, including Kediama, were detained at Kibuku Police Station, the eastern Police spokesperson, Diana Nandawula, announced.
In Bulengeni, Bulambuli sub-county in Mbale, a mob blocked the roads, denying voters access to the polling centres. Voting was also cancelled due to the chaos. No arrests were made.
Noah Sserunjogi, the southern region spokesperson, said in Kalungu district, Fred Kyeyune was held over impersonation.
Nabakooba appealed for calm as the Electoral Commission decides when fresh polls would be held.
** Related stories on www.elections2011.co.ug
** Type EC and send to 8338 for updates