By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Electoral Commission has been urged to ensure that police and other security agencies in the Kisoro by-election identify all security personnel providing security during the campaign period and on voting day.
The call was made by Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) spokesperson, Sharon Oyat Arach, during the party’s weekly media briefing at their headquarters, Uganda House, in Kampala.
Arach argued that in previous by-elections, some security officers allegedly intimidated and brutalized opposition members and voters but could not be identified due to a lack of name tags. She said providing name tags for security personnel would help eliminate impersonators and increase accountability during the election process.
Campaigns for the Kisoro District Woman MP by-election and other vacant local government positions are ongoing and are expected to conclude on November 12, with voting scheduled for November 14.
UPC’s flag bearer, Mable Ingabire, is one of six candidates contesting for the seat, which became vacant following the sudden passing of former Minister of State for Defense and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, in September. The other candidates include Sultana Salim (NUP), Rose Kabagyenyi (NRM), Juliet Musanase (FDC), Cyimpaye Aisha (PPP), and independent candidate Akifeza Grace Ngabirano.
UPC has emphasized its readiness to guard against vote rigging and has appealed to Kisoro voters to report any suspected instances of electoral malpractice.
