NRM Primaries: Security beefed up in key battlegrounds

As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party goes to its primary elections to choose parliamentary flag bearers, security has been beefed in major battle grounds and hot spots.

Uganda Police Force and the military have identified hot spots where violence is anticipated to happen between supporters of different candidates.

Sheema, Sembabule, Koboko, Kassanda, Kazo, Bundibugyo, Sironko, Mbale, Hoima, Koboko, Adjumani, Kashongi, Kampala, Wakiso and Hoima made it to the list of the districts where clashes had been reported.

In Sheema Municipality, skirmishes have happened between camps of science, technology and innovation minister Dr Elioda Tumwesigye and former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner Dicksons Kateshumbwa.

Kassanda South has also reported violence, with some people sustaining injuries in clashes between supporters of MP Simeo Nsubuga and those of his rival Michael Muhumuza days ago.

In Koboko Municipality, the heated race between junior minister for privatization and investment Evelyn Anite and her rival Dr Charles Ayume has also seen skirmishes recorded.

As for Sembabule, violence has led to the postponement of the primary election in Mawogola West and the transfer of the District Police Commander (DPC).

Clashes have happened between supporters of Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikuubo and those of junior minister for transport Joyce Kabatsi in Lwemiyaga.

Violence also broke out between those supporting President Yoweri Museveni’s relative Godfrey Aine and foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa’s daughter Shartis Musherure Nayebare, in Mawogola North.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sabiiti Muzeeyi rushed to Sembabule on September 03.

Enoch Abeine, the greater Masaka Regional Police Commander, said that security personnel have been deployed to keep peace and order.

In Sheema disttrict, police and UPDF soldiers have also been deployed to ensure a peaceful and harmonious electoral process.

Frank Kyerere, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Sheema District, noted that that the misconduct of some people had necessitated the deployment of security to avert violence.

On September 02, his car was involved in an accident at Shuuku Trading Centre, where he knocked a one Brighton Ahimbisibwe, who died a few minutes after he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

When asked about this incident, he said that he was rushing to stop people who had held campaigns at night Sheema South.

When they saw his car, several of them jumped off the lorries and Ahimbisibwe fell into his car.

NRM Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Dr Fred Tanga Odoi was recently in Greater Bushenyi, which includes Sheema.

A team from the party, including senior presidential advisor on general duties David Mafabi, has also been dispatched to the district to monitor events.

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