FDC blames EC over Ntungamo clashes

By Mary Kansiime     

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has blamed the recent clashes in Ntungamo on the weakness of the Electoral Commission (EC).

The clashes happened as Mbabazi and his supporters retired from their rally in Ntungamo. They reportedly met a group of people donning yellow T-shirts at the Rukungiri-Kabale junction.

FDC's national chairman Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa told a news conference on Monday that the incident would not have happened if the EC had intervened.

"NRM and its supporters must learn to be candidates and supporters who are not above the law," he told reporters at the opposition party's headquarters in Kampala.

"They should forthwith stop provoking other candidates. They should stop interrupting their rallies, defacing their posters, among others.

He stressed that as they condemn violence, "we do not condone impunity".

Meanwhile, on the same day, Mbabazi addressed a press conference at the Go Forward offices in Nakasero, where he condemned the continued harassment of his private guards and supporters, saying 23 people were arrested by the Police from his camp.

He demanded that all those arrested be produced in court "to face charges if they have cases to answer".

Mbabazi is vying for the presidency against seven other candidates. The presidential election will take place on February 18 this coming year.

On his part, Birigwa expressed concern over the breakdown of social services in different parts of the country.

"Everywhere we have gone, social service provision has broken down. Health facilities don't have medical staff and some are closed. The roads are impassable."

The FDC leader said campaigns have exposed the current regime's lies. "They have shown that the country is in dire need of change of transformation - a change that Ugandans deserve."

Birigwa said the FDC, led by their flagbearer Col. Kizza Besigye has managed to cover 51 districts since campaigns kicked off.

The response, according to him, has been overwhelming, including in areas that have been previously pro-NRM like Karamoja, Tooro, Kisoro, among others.

Besigye will be campaigning in Acholi and West Nile throughout the festive season, he told the press.

And in his Christmas message, Birigwa appealed to the clergy not to wait to shelter people when the country descends into anarchy, but preach to the NRM candidate, President Yoweri Museveni, EC and security agencies.

He wished all Ugandans a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2016.