ARUA BY-ELECTION
Police in Arua have said that Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, is not in their custody.
Police, however, confirmed that Kassiano Wadri, an independent candidate in Wednesday’s Arua Municipality by-election, is in custody at Arua Central Police Station.
On Monday evening, Kyagulanyi’s driver, Yasin Kawooya, was shot dead and five others sustained injuries. Initial reports indicated that Kyagulanyi had been arrested by security forces in the ensuing chaos, but Police now says this was not the case.
Police said security forces intervened after Wadri’s supporters failed to give the right of way to President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy. Museveni was in Arua canvassing votes for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Nusura Tiperu.
“We highly condemn this act of provoking security forces to the extent of attacking the presidential convoy which deserves the right of way,” Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Police spokesperson, said.
Angucia said the situation in Arua is now calm and that 34 people have been arrested, including Wadri and two journalists.
The said journalists are Herbert Zziwa of NTV and his cameraman Kassim Kyazze.
Among the others in Police custody are MPs Gerald Karuhanga, Paul Mwiru, Micheal Mabiike and John Mary Ssebuffu, a KCCA councillor.
Nuru Buteleezi, Fred Nyanzi, Ismail Kasule and William Musisi were also reportedly arrested.
“It is an embarrassment to our own people and shows political immaturity, where candidates incite their supporters to use violence so as to win votes,” Angucia added.
Twelve candidates are competing for the Arua Municipality seat, which fell vacant after MP Ibrahim Abiriga was gunned down early June.
While Tiperu is hoping to retain the position for NRM, Bruce Musema of the Forum for Demoratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party's Kennedy Madira and Jaffar Alekua of Justice Forum (JEEMA) have other ideas.
Other candidates, all independents, will also have a big say in this.
Wadri, Jackson Atima, Robert Ejiku, Francis Nyero, Sunday Anguandia, Alfred Nyakuni, Simon Avutia and Safi Bavuga want to replace Abiriga.
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