Bobi Wine blocked
Members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have accused security forces and district leaders of acting indiscriminately in campaigns for the Kayunga LC 5 chairperson by-election.
The hotly contested elections are slated for December 16, but campaigns end on Tuesday. The race is tight between Harriet Nakwede, NUP and Andrew Muwonge of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The concern from the NUP camp follows a directive by the Resident District Commissioner, Ssempala Kigozi to block their Party strongman, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from joining a last campaign rally for their candidate.
Kigozi has reportedly directed security forces to block Nakwede’s final campaign rally because she invited Bobi Wine to hold her final campaign rally in Kayunga Town Council.
Nakwede says such instructions contradict the harmonized campaign programme agreed upon by the Electoral Commission (EC) and all candidates.
She says that the decision to allow President Yoweri Museveni to canvas support for her NRM rival in Kayonza Sub County and block Kyagulanyi from doing the same for her is a sign of unfairness.
Kyagulanyi blocked
Nakwede argues that the decision to allow for President Yoweri Museveni to canvas support for his NRM candidate while blocking Kyagulanyi is a sign of unfairness.
Shamim Malende, the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, who was the special campaigner for Nakwede, has described the RDC’s directive as a sign of panic and low self-esteem.
“People from Kayunga have already decided; they have given their support to our candidate that is why they are scared and arresting our people. They fear Kyagulanyi because he is a very strong man and they know that people love him and are already showing their support even before he comes. But victory is ours,” Malende said on Sunday during campaigns.
President Museveni is expected in Kayonza Sub County, Kayunga, to boost campaigns for his candidate, Muwonge. He will also meet with District party leaders and the Security Committee.