Calm, anxiety as Bukoto South residents go to polls

Jul 12, 2012

Anxiety is high in Bukoto South, Lwengo district as residents get set to vote their MP today in a by-election

By Ali Mambule, DismusBuregyeya and Henry Mukasa

Anxiety remains high in Bukoto South constituency in Lwengo district as residents go to polls today to vote for their MP in a by-election.

Former ICT minister, Alintuma Nsambu is fighting for his political survival against DP’s secretary general, Mathias Nsubuga in an arguably two-horse race, where emotions are soaring high.

But as the two top contenders continue to flex their muscle, two other candidates, Julius Ssentamu (FDC) and Dan Katula Mubiru (Independent) are also in the race.

Nsambu promises to bring development on account of his membership to the ruling party while Nsubuga is riding on the apparent displeasure of the residents that the flamboyant former minister once despised the Kabaka.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant when the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s nullification of the election of NRM’s Hajji Muyanja Mbabali as area MP. 

DP’s Mathias Nsubuga petitioned court on the premise that Mbabali did not have the requisite academic qualifications.

All candidates, like in any election, are confident of nothing short of victory.

The leading two candidates have both deployed in the area ahead of the poll. DP stalwarts led by the party president, Nobert Mao and several MPs have pitched camp in the constituency to guard their vote while NRM too has sent cadres at the location.

The Electoral Commission (EC) said that all is set for the polls. The electoral materials were delivered Wednesday.

The tally centre has been set at Lwengo sub-county headquarters. Gracious Aryeija is the Returning Officer, expected to announce the results when the polls close at 5pm and tallying eventually ends.

By press time the Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura and the chairman of EC, Eng. Badru Kiggundu had arrived in Bukoto South Constituency to supervise the polls.

Attempts to get a word from NRM’s Nsambu were futile. However, George Mutabaazi, the LC 5 chairman of Lwengo district who is also a key member of Nsambu’s task force said, “We shall go with whoever wins the election. The elections should not divide the people.”

DP’s Nsubuga said that campaigns are over and his victory will be seen in the massive support he got along the way.

Security is tight with both uniformed and plain-clothed security personnel patrolling the area. The Police said it had deployed a force of 1200 troops to counter any election malpractice and to ensure that peace prevails throughout the voting process.

“They are deployed in 125 villages focusing on 66 polling stations,” Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Region spokesperson of the Police said.

 He confirmed that no arrests were made on the eve [Wednesday] of the polls but there were three minor cases of fights resulting from heated arguments in Kinoni between rival supporters.

Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze had her tent she had set up in Kinoni town confiscated by police.

Sserunjogi said that the tent was pitched for Nambooze’s personal safety.

 

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