UPDF Soldiers Campaign

By Frederick Kiwanuka PARLIAMENTARY candidates in Nakaseke and Katikamu North have complained that senior UPDF officers are campaigning for their opponents. The candidates recently said common officers at campaign rallies in the two constituencies were Lt. Col. Nalweyiso, Col. Elly Kayanja, Col. Nelson Katagara, Lt. Col. Hudson Mukasa and Lt. Col. Kaganda who were campaigning for either minister Syda Bumba in Nakaseke, or Lt. Jimmy Kinobe in Katikamu North. Parliamentary candidates for Nakaseke are Mr. Sempala Mbuga, Major Jero Bwende, Syda Bumba and Mr. Reginald Kafeero. Those contesting for the Katikamu South seat are Kinobe, Badru Sebyala and Mr. Jasper Aligaweesa. They have all complained over the involvement of the UPDF officers, saying it is unfair. The UPDF public Relations Officer, Phinehas Katirima, said the army was neutral in relation to candidates at all levels. "The UPDF does not campaign for anybody" he said Katirima, however, added "there is no law that stops a UPDF officer from campaigning for any candidate." The Electoral Commission spokesman, Dick Kizito, advised the candidates to write to the commission chairman seeking to know his position over the issue. Ends