EC suspends Tororo women council elections

The Electoral Commission has suspended the elections for Tororo district women council executive until when the political situation in the district normalises.

EC secretary Sam Rwakoojo in a letter dated August 8 directed to district returning officer, Fred Muwaya Tibakuno, said the commission was aware of the current circumstances prevailing in the district, making it unfavourable to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the district.

"The purpose of this letter therefore is to inform you that election process for the district council and committee has been suspended until further notice. A new program will be communicated to you as soon as the political situation normalizes" the letter read in part.

This was after a section of some leaders petitioned the EC to have the elections conducted despite a boycott by the residents of Tororo County who did not participate in the LC1 and women council elections, until when the political conflict is resolved.

Police on Thursday deployed heavily at Tororo Youth Centre hall to allow the minister of state for health in charge of general duties, Sarah Achieng Opendi, to conduct a meeting with elected sub county women council executive members after her political opponent Jacinta Ayo attempted to disrupt the function.

Ayo who was the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer in the 2016 general election, mobilised uninvited NRM women leaders from the villages and parishes across the entire district who are mainly her supporters, to storm and disrupt the meeting.

Ayo who addressed her supporters before the arrival of the minister, told them not to leave the venue until they were paid money they alleged they owed amounting to sh60,000 each, before she left them behind.

Moments later, Police led by the officer in charge of Tororo Central Police Station, ushered the minister in for the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Opendi blasted Ayo, branding her and her supporters as political idlers who must stop causing confusion in the district by leaving elected leaders to serve the population.

She warned the newly elected women council leaders against politics of hatred, intrigue, religion and tribalism. She handed each of them sh60,000 each as their facilitation.