Rukungiri: Kyamadidi, 9 others arrested

A total of ten people have been arrested in Rukungiri in connection with electoral malpractice in the ongoing elections in Rukungiri.

The deputy police spokesman, Patrick Onyango, said those arrested include two former legislators and one polling official. He identified the legislators as Vincent Kyamadidi, former Member of Parliament Rwampara County who was arrested at Sayuni polling station in Nyakishenyi sub-county after he was accused of inciting violence and voter bribery.

Onyango said Kyamadidi was taken to Ntungamo Police station to avoid more violence in Rukungiri, according to the Police. He identified another legislator in custody as Athanasius Rutaro former NRC member representing Rujumbura and former Rukungiri district chairperson.

He said Rutaro was arrested on allegations that he was bribing voters at his home in Nyaburondo though by the time police reached there, nobody was at his home.

"Rutaro is at Police for safe custody after allegations of dishing out the money we could not have left him at home as angry voters may attack him," Onyango said.

He added that he will be released as soon the political tempers from voters gets down.

Onyango also said that Sylvia Tushabire  a polling assistant at Rwentuha primary school in Buyanja sub-county was arrested for failure to follow procedure on issuance of ballot papers.

He said Tushabire was marking with two zeros on the candidates who pulled out of elections that led to those ballots spoilt.

He said was arrested at around 9:20am after writing on sixty ballot papers which were all regarded as spoilt ballot papers.