Anti-riot police deployed in Kabale

By Kyomuhendo Muhangaand Darious MagaraTHE Anti-riot police has been deployed in Kabale to stop the escalating post-election violence especially in Rukiga county where Francis Runumi’s supporters are tussling it out with those of Edson Kakuru, the winner of the district seat.Edward Ochom, the regional police commander, said the deployment follows reports of violence in Kamwezi where electoral materials were reportedly destroyed by irate voters on Thursday.“We moved in to avert any possible clash between the supporters of the two men (Runumi and Kakuru) after they reportedly started trading accusations of election malpractices,” Ochom said.The Kabale district Police commander, Martin Amoru, said they were hunting for Robert Byamukama, who is said to have torn some ballot papers claiming that an LDU called Matsiko had interfered with the voting exercise.The area returning officer, Sam Basurwa, said on Saturday that the election for the three polling stations in Kamwezi and Rwamucucu sub-counties had been cancelled. Basurwa said he had requested the Electoral Commission to arrange a re-election in the affected areas.Meanwhile, partial results showed Kakuru enjoying a comfortable lead against the incumbent, Dr. Francis Runumi, with a difference of 8,038 votes.But Runumi has rejected the results, alleging massive rigging and intimidation of his supporters in several areas in the district.