Security Disperse Byanyima Supporters

By Grace Matsiko UPDF soldiers and the Police yesterday broke up a protest by supporters of Mbarara Municipality parliamentary candidate Winnie Byanyima. It was sparked off after the voter-display exercise officials, among them local council authorities, barred an unidentified woman from picking a voter's card. Byanyima's publicity secretary Edirisa Mbabali was beaten up by soldiers who were called to Kizungu Nyamityobora in the Mbarara town suburb to quell the protest during the voter display exercise there. At least 10 people were injured in the protest which started at around 6.30 p.m. The officials suspected that the woman was an illegal voter and this attracted the wrath of Byanyima supporters who roughed up the display officials. Witnesses said the confusion ensued when candidate Ngoma Ngime, who was present, intervened. Byanyima supporters threatened to beat him up. He was also blocked from addressing a rally there. Ends