Odoi warns Bushenyi NRM aspirants against violence

Sep 01, 2020

Odoi cautioned the media against allowing candidates to use their platforms to insult each other.

POLITICS|ELECTION WATCH

BUSHENYI - The NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, has directed NRM flag-bearers in Bushenyi district to control their supporters to stop them from disorganising the election.

Odoi also appealed to the candidates to observe the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures put in place by the health ministry to stop the spread of the virus.

"Can we set an example for the entire region (Greater Ankole) by campaigning as brothers and sisters and maintaining law and order?" Odoi said.

He was on Friday meeting candidates who are eyeing different posts at the district council hall in Bushenyi town. Odoi's visit followed clashes among supporters of several candidates in the district, leaving four injured and admitted at Mbarara referral hospital.

The Bushenyi region Police spokesperson, Martial Tumusiime, said they are investigating what prompted the fight between the supporters of Annet Katusiime and those of the district Woman MP, Mary Karooro Okurut, who is also Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. 

"This is an internal democracy where your supporters should not harm each other because we are members of one family," Odoi said.

Former minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere said: "We may have to rethink our primaries because the way we are trying to instil democracy is becoming a challenge."

Karooro Okurut said the manner in which some candidates and their supporters have conducted themselves is regrettable.

The district NRM chairperson, Hassan Bassajjabalaba, said he will not allow people to abuse each other, especially the leaders.

"The hatred and abusive campaigns that some people are promoting in the district through their supporters will not be accepted because the practice threatens the party," Bassajjabalaba said.

Odoi cautioned the media against allowing candidates to use their platforms to insult each other.

"Let candidates square-off," he said. 

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