Violence rocks Jinja Municipality East race

By Donald Kiirya in Jinja

POLICE in Jinja has banned the pinning of candidates’ posters vying for the Jinja Municipality East Parliamentary seat at night.

Police also warned candidates in race against sending their supporters out in the night to pin the posters, saying that the act will incite more violence among supporters threatening the campaigns in the constituency.

The warning was made by the Jinja district Police commander, Jonathan Musinguzi, in his office at the Jinja Central Police station after supporters of NRM’s Nathan Igeme Nabeta beat and injured a supporter of FDC’s Paul Mwiiru who tried to stop them from defacing posters of his FDC candidate.

“There are counter-accusations from both camps. I received a call from Mwiiru at about 2:00am complaining that his supporters had been beaten by those of Igeme and were defacing posters.”

 “Shortly afterwards, I received another call from Igeme also complaining of his supporters being beaten by Mwiiru’s,” said Musinguzi.  

 Musinguzi said that after supporters from both camps had fought, those from the NRM camp rushed to Walukuba Police post to open up a case and those of Mwiiru rushed to Jinja Central Police Station to do the same.

“I am concerned about why they have to pin posters at night as it should be done in broad day light. Police will stand firm and it shall not tolerate anyone caught in the act,” Musinguzi sounded firm, adding that voters should not be confused and used by leaders.

He also warned against provocation in the campaigns.

 “I also received information that some supporters provoke others by pinning posters on offices of other camps. This must stop.”

The police commander advised supporters from both camps to always consult with owners of buildings in the constituency over pinning posters onto their buildings.

Feeble and limping

 Fred Kaggwa, a young brother to Mwiiru, who is currently admitted at Ripon Medical Centre in Jinja, told New Vision that Igeme’s supporters beat him using clubs and sticks and he is now unable to walk.

 “We found about 20 guys in Walukuba defacing posters of our candidate after a tip off that they were doing so. When we intervened, they pounced on us and started beating us because they knew me as a brother to Mwiiru. They hit me more for that,” Kaggwa said, in pain.

 He said he was feeling pain all over his body and was put in a wheelchair to be taken for an X-ray.

 Musinguzi said Police arrested one person but they are still investigating the matter and will arrest more culprits who engaged in the act.