Besigye’s agents locked up on polling day, more being arrested
By George Murumba
28th Feb 2011
The Inter Party Cooperation [IPC] has said government security personnel locked up many of their polling agents and only released them after the elections.
In a statement, IPC’s Electoral Affairs Chairman Maj. [Rtd] Rubaramira Ruranga said, “…following the flawed electoral process and announcement of results, there is increasing evidence to show that the EC results do not reflect the will of the people”.
Mr. Rubaramira said in Kyankwanzi for example, “…all [IPC] polling agents were arrested the morning of polling day-18th February and only released yesterday -21st February”.
He named the arrested IPC polling agents as: Mr. Kanakulwa Ben, Kakeeto William, Kimera Robin son, Lubowa Eddie, Kirime Musa, Tebajukira , Ziwa Ernest. The agents were for the polling centres of; Lubiri M-Z, Kaseta, Katugu, Nalukonge B, Nalukonge A-K polling centres, all in Kyankwanzi district.
Maj. Ruranga said their agents were withdrawn from the polling centres on the orders of the District Police Commander [DPC] who claimed that the IPC polling agents needed to be verified first before they are allowed to oversee the voting process.
Maj. Ruranga further said that, “…at around midday, the [IPC] agents were told to resume their duties at the polling centres – but they rightfully refused. According to results from the Electoral Commission, the IPC candidate [Dr. Kizza Besigye] polled 5,354 votes against Museveni’s 42,276. IPC once again restates the position that these are fraudulent results that should be rejected by all Ugandans”.
More arrests and intimidation
In the same statement, Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga also complained of continued arrest of opposition activists. The “…IPC is also concerned about the continued arrests and intimidation of our supporters even after elections. On Sunday 19th February seven FDC members – Mr. Ojega Sam (FDC NEC Member), Arnold Mungoma, Robert Simanya, Lusweti Joseph, Khibuye Isaac, Tom Sakwa and Magombe- were arrested and detained at Mbale Central Police station”, Maj. Ruranga said.
He said of the arrested IPC activists, Sam Ojega and Magombe were accused of assault while the other five have been accused of arson. Their file reference number is CRD 596/2011. Mr. Mabanja, the FDC Vice Chairperson Mbale, was assaulted and left unconscious by agents of the NRM Namanyonyi sub county Chairperson.
“…While FDC-IPC has called upon its supporters to remain calm, such acts of harassment meted [out] on our supporters may provoke reactions and the perpetuators of such abuses will entirely be responsible”, the retired Major warned.
All our efforts to get an explanation from the government were futile as one government security officer after another said they could not comment on the matter “…while investigations are still ongoing”. END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
