Yusufu Abaho, the campaign coordinator of Aine Kaguta in Lugushuulu Sub County is one of the victims of the fresh violence because of supporting a candidate of his choice. He claims that gangs that are targeting the coordinators of Aine, some of whom, he says have been abducted.
Tension is high among voters in Sembabule district over new
incidents of campaign violence and voter intimidation ahead of the 2021 general
elections. A section of voters and political activists in Mawogola North
constituency are complaining about the high levels of coercion and harassment by
agents of their political opponents.
The tension stems from the heated race between Shartis
Musherure Kuteesa, the daughter of Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kahamba
Kuteesa and Museveni’s young brother, Godfrey Aine Katuga Sodo. According to
residents, the race between the two close relatives has raised political
tensions in the area, similar to what they witnessed during the National
Resistance Movement-NRM party primaries in September.
Yusufu Abaho, the campaign coordinator of Aine Kaguta in Lugushuulu Sub County
is one of the victims of the fresh violence because of supporting a candidate
of his choice. He claims that gangs that are targeting the coordinators of
Aine, some of whom, he says have been abducted.
//Cue in: (Luganda) “kubanga tuze….
Cue out; ….abatambulira ku tebukye.”//
Hanington Kasaijja, another support of Aine says that agents from their
opponent’s political camp, some of whom are even armed with firearms, are
intimidating them. He says the political
tension that is building is likely to scare away many people from participating
in the elections.
//Cue in: “Okwemulugunya…..
Cue out; ….abantu babizibwawo.”//
Enoch Twimuzuga and Fazir Jjingo, both residents of Lugushuulu Sub County accuse
police of being used by some political bigwigs in the area to satisfy their
selfish agendas. They are now threatening to respond to the situation by
avenging against their tormenters should security fail to restore sanity in the
area.
//Cue in: konka nyine obushashiizi…..
Cue out:….ogenda kiraba.”//
Shartsi Musherure, whose agents are accused of violence has
not yet commented as she neither answered or responded to repeated calls from
our reporter.
Mohammad Nsubuga, the greater Masaka Regional Police
Spokesperson has appealed for calm among all political players in the area,
saying the regional police authorities are going to intervene in the situation
to ensure that the campaigns move on peacefully.
Similar incidents of violence and political intolerance in the NRM primaries left
scores of people nursing.
