Kamukama wants action on social media liars

Candidate Molly Kamukama has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to use the Uganda Communications Commission and other government institutions to track down on the people parading false political statements which she said are intended to divide the people of Kazo district.

Kamukama, also the state minister for economic monitoring, who is vying for the Kazo Woman MP seat as an independent candidate, said spreading false information is not only criminal, but can cause disharmony and disorganise.

Kamukama was referring to social media messages and letters indicating that she had withdrawn from the race and that she had decided to campaign for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer. The minister is tussling it out with Jennifer Rwaburibate Muhesi, who defeated her in the NRM primaries and Ronah Ruranga (independent). Without naming names, Kamukama suspects that the false information was manufactured by her opponents.

The three contested together in the NRM party primary elections. Kamukama made the remarks on Thursday as she launched President Yoweri Museveni's campaign at Kazo archdeaconry conference hall in Kazo town council. She assured her supporters that she is still in the race and asked them to remain focused on winning. "The EC should work with other government institutions to have such people put to order," she added.

EC SPEAKS OUT

The EC spokesperson, Paul Bukenya, said there are clear procedures for a candidate to withdraw from the race. He asked those using social media to spread false information, to desist from it. However, he said, following reports of misuse of social media, they have worked out an arrangement with the Uganda Communications Commission to ensure such issues are handled. Kamukama's opponents denied involvement in the spread of the messages, saying they do not have such time to waste.

"I am busy canvassing for votes. I don't have time for social media because it doesn't help me," Ronah Ruranga said on phone. Attempts to talk to NRM flag-bearer Jeniffer Muheesi failed as her known telephone number was off.

NRM flag-bearer for Buremba town council Peterson Ataho, asked the people of Kazo not to vote basing on religion or tribes, but on the ability of the leader. The NRM chairperson for Kazo town council, Emmanuel Magango, called for more effort to fight intrigue in Kazo district. Kazo is one of the new districts recently created out of Kiruhura.