EC warns on Butambala, Usuk by-elections

By JOHN & VIVIAN AGABA

The Electoral Commission has warned parliamentary candidates in the Usuk and Butambala county by-elections against deploying hooligans at polling stations to allow for peaceful elections.

EC boss Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu said the elections will be held Wednesday September 12 and urged voters to turn up early and in big numbers.

Six candidates, including DP’s Muwanga Kivumbi and NRM’s Faisal Ssali Kikulukunyu are vying for the Butambala seat which fell vacant when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Kikulukunyu over election irregularities related to bribing of voters.

Others are Ibrahim Tomusange Batemyetto of the Uganda Federal Alliance and independent candidates—Farouk Walungama, Faridah Nakiboneka, and Sharif Ssentongo.

The Usuk MP seat fell vacant when Independent Michael Oramait died. Oramait’s daughter Proscovia Alengot Oromait of NRM is competing with DP’s Nicholas Otega, UPC’s Anyokoit Cecilia, FDC’s Charles Okure and other six independent candidates.

Kigundu said candidates will be allowed to deploy only five observers per sub-county, warning that individuals found doing duties of observers without accreditation will be prosecuted.

“In order to avoid congestion at polling stations, each candidate is advised to appoint a maximum of two agents per polling station and they should not interfere in the polling process,’’ said Kiggundu.

He added that the commission had set up a complaints desk in both Katakwi (for Usuk) and Butambala districts which candidates’ accredited observers could contact in case of complaints.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola said they were deploying more policemen (both in civilian and uniform) in the two constituencies, promising that ‘no one will disrupt the elections’.

“We have got reports of some candidates who are planning on ferrying people from Kampala and Masaka to disrupt the elections in Butambala. But we won’t let them,’’ said Ochola. However, the police boss declined to disclose the names of these candidates.