MUKONO.
The National Resistance Movement [NRM], candidate for Mukono Parliamentary seat and former district LCV chairperson, Andrew Ssenyonga, has been hospitalised following a violent confrontation at Mukono Police on Thursday night.
This incident occurred after Ssenyonga, accompanied by over 30 supporters, stormed the police station, demanding the immediate release of Joseph Sulume, one of the Goma Division registrars, who was arrested on allegations of delaying the submission of results /tampering with them.
The registrar’s phones went off after he had collected results at 1:00 pm. Sulume’s phones were reactivated late in the evening [6:00 p.m.], drawing suspicion of tampering with the NRM primary election results.
According to Stephen Ndawula, a campaigner who was at the tally centre, Sulume was seen submitting the results at night.
‘It was at around 9:00 pm, when I saw him being escorted by police at the tally centre to submit the results, and after security went with him,’ Ndawula said.
Upon learning of Sulume’s detention, SSenyonga and his entourage descended on the police facility in protest, where the confrontation turned violent.
Francis Kiwa
nuka, a supporter, said several people were beaten, including journalists who were at the station covering the confrontation. ‘Ssenyonga and his brother Rauben Ssenyonjo were seriously injured and are hospitalised,’ Kiwanuka said.
These were first admitted to Mukono General Hospital, but due to the deteriorating condition, they were transferred to Nsambya Hospital.
The Deputy Resident Commissioner [RDC], Mr. Hassan Kasibante, confirmed the incident and condemned the actions of the candidate SSenyonga’s group.
‘The action taken wasn’t right, they attempted to breach police custody and free a detained suspect,’ Kasibante said.
However, Mr. Stephen Nakabaale, the presiding registrar for Mukono district, has halted the process of tallying votes at Mukono Municipality, citing widespread irregularities.
‘The situation is currently being reviewed by the district security committee in conjunction with the NRM technical team to determine the next steps.
Despite chaos in the Mukono Municipality, elections went on smoothly in other constituencies.
Nakifuma County: Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko secured 10,625 votes.
Mukono North constituency: Ronald Kibuule won with 12,728 votes
District Woman MP: Margret Nakavubu won with 22,364 votes
Mukono South constituency: Tadeo went through unopposed.