First lady's rival sentenced
Feb 02, 2006
A PARLIMENTARY candidate for Ruhaama county in Ntungamo district has been given the option of one year in jail or a fine of sh480,000 for distributing his posters at a rally organised by the team campaigning for Mrs. Janet Museveni.
By Kyomuhendo Muhanga
and Rwambuka Mugisha
A PARLIAMENTARY candidate for Ruhaama county in Ntungamo district has been given the option of one year in jail or a fine of sh480,000 for distributing his posters at a rally organised by the team campaigning for Mrs. Janet Museveni.
He spent Wednesday night in jail but was freed when his relatives paid the fine on Thursday.
Prosecution told court on Tuesday that Patrick Karekyezi, an independent candidate, was arrested while distributing his posters at a rally in Nshenyi that was to be addressed by Mrs. Museveni.
He denied the charges and said he was being framed.
Ntungamo district police commander George Sabiiti said Karekyezi was arrested on Saturday by the police and the presidential guard brigade.
The prosecution said Karekyezi committed an electoral offence and asked court to punish him severely so that those committing similar acts, or intending to do the same, can learn from his experience.
Ntungamo Grade one magistrate Godfrey Kawesa said it was the duty of every candidate to protect the laws governing elections.
He said Karekyezi committed the offence knowing that he was breaching the law.
Karekyezi told journalists after his release that the charges brought against him were to intimidate him to quit the campaigns.
He denied distributing posters at Mrs. Museveni’s rally and said he was arrested while he was on house-to-house campaign and taken to the venue of the rally.
“I was not even near the rally venue. I was arrested and dragged there. The posters in my bag were confiscated and distributed to the crowds there,†he said.
“I will not accept to be intimidated. I will continue with my campaign,†Karekyezi said.
Other candidates for the seat are Augustine Ruzindana of the FDC and Amanda Magambo an independent.
Ruzindana, the incumbent, said security operatives have deployed in the constituency and are intimidating his supporters.
However, Janet’s camp denied the allegations.
She said God called her to liberate Ruhaama from poverty.
Ruzindana, however, says she is driven by hatred.
and Rwambuka Mugisha
A PARLIAMENTARY candidate for Ruhaama county in Ntungamo district has been given the option of one year in jail or a fine of sh480,000 for distributing his posters at a rally organised by the team campaigning for Mrs. Janet Museveni.
He spent Wednesday night in jail but was freed when his relatives paid the fine on Thursday.
Prosecution told court on Tuesday that Patrick Karekyezi, an independent candidate, was arrested while distributing his posters at a rally in Nshenyi that was to be addressed by Mrs. Museveni.
He denied the charges and said he was being framed.
Ntungamo district police commander George Sabiiti said Karekyezi was arrested on Saturday by the police and the presidential guard brigade.
The prosecution said Karekyezi committed an electoral offence and asked court to punish him severely so that those committing similar acts, or intending to do the same, can learn from his experience.
Ntungamo Grade one magistrate Godfrey Kawesa said it was the duty of every candidate to protect the laws governing elections.
He said Karekyezi committed the offence knowing that he was breaching the law.
Karekyezi told journalists after his release that the charges brought against him were to intimidate him to quit the campaigns.
He denied distributing posters at Mrs. Museveni’s rally and said he was arrested while he was on house-to-house campaign and taken to the venue of the rally.
“I was not even near the rally venue. I was arrested and dragged there. The posters in my bag were confiscated and distributed to the crowds there,†he said.
“I will not accept to be intimidated. I will continue with my campaign,†Karekyezi said.
Other candidates for the seat are Augustine Ruzindana of the FDC and Amanda Magambo an independent.
Ruzindana, the incumbent, said security operatives have deployed in the constituency and are intimidating his supporters.
However, Janet’s camp denied the allegations.
She said God called her to liberate Ruhaama from poverty.
Ruzindana, however, says she is driven by hatred.