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The UPDF military driving away voters who had turn up to vote (Photo by Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
Kawempe
Independent candidate Maitum Obote Engena, son of former Ugandan President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, has condemned the heavy military presence in the Kawempe North by-elections, citing harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. Engena expressed deep concern over the deployment of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and plain-clothed security operatives, which he said led to voter suppression and violence. "The country should not tolerate this nonsense. We mobilized people to vote peacefully, but they were scared away. Our agents were forcibly removed from polling stations," an agitated Engena told journalists at Kawempe Mbogo Mosque in Kampala. The by-election, which began on Thursday morning, was marred by brutality, arbitrary arrests, and the vandalism of journalists' equipment to suppress media coverage, Engena alleged.
Kalanda's home N to N polling station in Kawempe had few people turning to cast their votes (Photo by Milton Niinga)
"There Will Never Be Free and Fair Elections Under Museveni"
Engena further claimed that Uganda may never experience credible elections as long as President Yoweri Museveni remains in power.
"We were in control of State House twice, but what I have witnessed today proves that there will never be a free and fair election in Uganda with Museveni still in charge," he lamented.
Despite the Electoral Commission’s (EC) assurances of a peaceful and transparent process, Engena accused the body of failing to uphold its promises.
"The army has completely taken over the electoral process under the watch of EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama. Let’s see what he will announce," Engena warned.
Engena
He also criticized the use of military drones to allegedly abduct opposition supporters, arguing that such actions belong in dictatorial regimes.
"Voter intimidation through military abductions and helicopters creating war-like scenes is unacceptable. Low voter turnout is inevitable because they already have pre-ticked ballot boxes ready for announcement," he observed.
Kasacca
Kasacca condemns military Presence at polling stations
Democratic Party (DP) candidate Henry Kasacca, who cast his vote at Katalemwa Nursery Primary School around 9 a.m., condemned the heavy deployment of UPDF soldiers, accusing them of instilling fear among voters.
"They were scaring people away using motorcycles carrying electric wires to beat people, abducting them in drones, and flying helicopters to create a war-like atmosphere," Kasacca claimed.
"All of this was happening in broad daylight, proving that peace and security only exist if you align with the ruling party. Throughout my campaign, I kept hearing about election militarization, but today I witnessed it firsthand," he added.
By the time of filing this story, at least two people had been injured in running battles with security forces, while military tanks continued to patrol the Kawempe Mbogo polling station ahead of the vote count.
Torch Media Africa
