By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Kawempe North by-election candidate on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, Mukiibi Sadat, popularly known as Kalifah Aganaga, has strongly condemned excessive police brutality and political violence targeting opposition politicians during the ongoing electoral campaigns.
“I condemn the brutality against innocent Ugandans, innocent supporters, and my fellow candidates,” Kalifah stated while addressing his supporters in Kawempe I Parish on Wednesday.
The campaigns in Kawempe North have been marred by violence, with several individuals including journalists and supporters of opposition candidates falling victim to brutality, injuries, and arrests by the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) unit.
Kalifah also accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of failing to take action despite the escalating violence. He noted that during a harmonization meeting with the EC and other stakeholders, JAT and other special forces were not mentioned, raising concerns about their role in the by-election.
“I wonder why, when we get to the ground, we see different special forces like JAT. We see masked individuals brutalizing the media and candidates. I strongly condemn this, and I demand a meeting with the EC so they can explain to us what is happening,” he said.
During his campaign, Kalifah pledged to address key challenges affecting the people of Kawempe North, including poor drainage systems, solid waste management, and inadequate service delivery.
Additionally, he spoke out against the impounding of motorcycles and the extortion of money from motorcyclists, emphasizing the vital role the Boda Boda industry plays in job creation and reducing unemployment.
“I want to engage traffic officers and Parliament on this issue. The Boda Boda industry has significantly contributed to employment in this country, and it deserves support, not harassment,” he said.
The Kawempe North parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9. Ten candidates are vying for this seat to replace the late Ssegirinya. The by-election is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, with voting set to take place at all 197 polling stations in the constituency.
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