Chris Kiwawulo, Moses Mulondo and Jude Kafuuma
4 December 2008
Kampala — MALPRACTICES and violence yesterday marred the Kyadondo North by-election in Busukuma and Gombe sub-counties, Wakiso district.
Preliminary results indicated a tight race between NRM candidate Robert Kibirige Kasule and DP's Regina Bakitte as front-runners.
FDC candidate Pallyne Nakabuye was in third position, while Sentamu Ssewandagi of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Kizito Nsubuga (Independent) and Amina Nakiyaga (Independent) trailed.
At Busukuma sub-county headquarters polling station, Kasule got 64 votes, Bakitte 42, Nakabuye, 47, Sewandagi, 8, Nsubuga, 3 and Nakiyaga zero.
But at the Maganjo Kagoma polling station, Bakitte had 78 votes, Kasule 15, Ssewandagi 36 and Nakabuye 19 votes. At Maganjo church zone, Bakitte had 216 votes, Kasule 141, Nakabuye 56, Ssewandagi 159, Nsubuga 3 and Nakiyaga zero.
At the Wamala Katoke in Nabweru sub-county, Bakitte received 42 votes, Kasule 88. At Kawanda Nakyesanja, Bakitte had 110 votes, while Kasule had 180.
Earlier, armed Police and the anti-riot squad deployed heavily to contain the chaos that marred the election.
They arrested five suspects in the two sub-counties. The Police remained on patrol throughout the day.
In Gombe sub-county, four people, one of them the presiding officer, Mary Asiyo, and polling assistant Robinah Nanyunja were arrested at Jagala playground.
They allegedly had a ballot box stuffed with ticked ballot papers before the voting started at 7:00am. It was not clear which candidate was ticked. Joseph Mugenyi, the constable on guard, also made a statement.
The matter surfaced at around 6:30am when Democratic Party agent Darius Ssembatya found the ballot papers cast in the box yet there were no voters.
Ssembatya called his party candidate, Regina Bakitte, who came with MPs Issa Kikungwe (Kyadondo South) and Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South).
A scuffle ensued which was ended by the Kampala Central Division Police boss, Stephen Tanui.
Polling supervisor Prossy Nakintu said the voters register showed that 35 people had voted yet the cast ballots in the box appeared more.
The suspects were transferred to Kawempe Police Station from Gombe sub-county headquarters where they were held for hours.
Electoral Commission official Joy Nandaula brought in new election materials, including 400 ballot papers. She also replaced the polling officials. Voting resumed at 10:30am.
However, the ballot papers were not enough for the 650 registered voters. Nandaula promised more.
In Busukuma, Kira Road Police chief Alex Asiimwe had to intervene to restore order when violence erupted at Bulesa Primary School polling station. Unknown people beat up DP's polling agent Ronald Galukande.
The Police arrested a man over the assault. All the five suspects were still in Police custody by press time.
Saddam Gayira and CBS radio journalist Masembe Kawuma were also beaten up by people traveling in a saloon car.
Gayira said he was attacked after he inquired why PPP agents had been stopped from witnessing the voting in Mayirye, Busukuma.
Chaos also erupted at Namulonge polling station when two DP supporters, Ronald Mabirizi and Lukwago, attempted to guide voters on who to vote.
Overall, elections in most polling stations went on peacefully. Wakiso RDC Lt. Sula Sserunjogi advised voters in Busukuma to go home once they had cast their votes.
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