NUP party leadership strongly rejected calls by some of its members to seek out government, to negotiate for the release of their supporters who were kidnapped during last year’s election cycle and remained in cells some in unknown locations.
Ugandans go to polls to elect their president and Members of Parliament on Thursday 14th, 2021. The incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is contending with 10 others for the country’s top office.
Jackson Odong, an Independent candidate and Robert Ocen, the FDC flag bearer for Kumi Municipality MP note that unlike the District Council Hall which is spacious, the new tally center is small and agents and other people could be barred from witnessing vote-counting in Kumi in the guise observing SOPs for COVID-19.
Kyalimpa’s appointment and his subsequent withdrawal from the race shades light on how the NRM has used money, positions and in some cases underhand methods to entice or cajole candidates out of the race to allow its flag bearers go through unopposed.
According to the Director Government Media Centre boss Ofwono Opondo, the journalists were accredited to cover COVID-19 and Tourism in Bwindi Forest, but were found doing other things unrelated to what they were accredited for.
It adds that presidential candidates have a right to move and access the designated venues for as long as they comply with the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Electoral Commission that limits to 200, the number of people to attend a political meeting.
The most affected areas include Mengo, Rubaga, Kansanga, Mpererwe, Kasangati, Gayaza. Where costs ranged between 3000 to 4000 shillings but because of the riots the taxis are transporting passengers at a cost between 5000 to 7000 shillings. Other places are from Kampala to Kireka, Bweyogerere and Mukono, Nsangi, Busega, Bwaise, Kawempe where the fare has increased by 1000 shillings or more from the usual prices.
The duo includes Helen Akol Odeke of FDC and Merab Amongin, an independent. Akol is in trouble for adapting her husband’s name- Odeke in her academic credentials, the matter said to be in court.
