They allege that some candidates have created camps which are used for tormenting and frustrating other opponents from carrying out their political activities.
Ahamed Madiri, the Mt Moroto regional police commander addressing the aspirants and the community during the political awareness baraza held at Boma gorunds in Moroto municipality
A section of aspirants in Moroto district have
raised concerns over threats and intimidation from the security forces.
The aspirants voiced their concerns during the political awareness
Baraza that was held on Thursday at Moroto Boma grounds. They allege that some candidates have created camps which are used for tormenting and frustrating other opponents
from carrying out their political activities.
Emmanuel Lokii, the LCV Councillor representing Rupa Sub County
said that some politicians have formed the task force known as Kiboko squad which
they use to frustrate their opponents.
Lokii said that he was among the leaders who were stopped
from accessing some villages to campaign on the orders of his opponents. He also observed that there is a need to do more
sensitisation of the voters to elect leaders based on their capability to
deliver and not for money.
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Zainab Angella, the Aspirant for Moroto Municipality Member
of Parliament on the FDC ticket, also appealed to the security forces to be fair to the candidates contesting in other opposition parties.
Angella reminded the security forces that the region has
registered candidates vying for positions through opposition parties, and they
all deserve equal treatment.
Angella noted that they are experiencing a lot of
intimidation from the security forces for contesting under the opposition
parties. She reiterated that it is their constitutional right to exercise their
constitutional rights to belong to any political party of their choice without
any force.
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Hellen Kiyai, the aspirant for Woman Member of Parliament
for Moroto district under FDC ticket urged the security forces to provide a
leveled ground for all the aspirants from different political parties during
campaigns.
Kiyai warned the security forces against frustrating their
activities because of being in the opposition party, but instead considered the
entire contestant as candidates pushing for the common goal of developing the
region.
She said that they deserve equal treatment during the
campaign and election time, just like those contesting in the NRM party.
Isaac Lokol, the LCIII Chairperson for South Division in the
Moroto municipality observed that the violence is being escalated by the
political agents for different candidates.
Lokol said that the political agents are not loyal to their
candidates; instead, they keep running around causing confusion and violence
during the election period.
Justine Samuel Tuko, the Moroto Deputy Resident District
Commissioner, said that his office has never received any report regarding
security forces intimidating the political aspirants but they will also it’s
the matter he will investigate.
Tuko noted that the security forces are only mandated to
provide security throughout the election process and not to take sides based
on the political party. He challenged the candidates that are being intimidated
to report to his office with evidence so that action is taken to ensure there
is harmony.
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Ahamed Madiri, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Commander, said
that they will be working with other security agencies and the stakeholders to
ensure that there is peace in the forthcoming election.
Madiri said that they shall be training their personnel to
make sure they are dedicated to carry out the assignments given to them during
this political period.
He explained that they have an electoral code of conduct which they
normally follow as security agencies, as the constitution guides.
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Pascal Locham, the Moroto District Election Administrator, challenged
the voters to be involved in every electoral activity and not to wait for the
day of elections.
Locham said that this would help the voters to know the
areas of contest, name verification and the polling station to vote from before
the voting day. She said that they are currently overwhelmed by complaints of voters
who never went to verify their particulars and yet it is the most important
step.
Locham also warned people against tearing the aspiring
candidate’s posters' hate speech during the campaign season. She urged the
candidates to consider loving their people and promoting peace in the forthcoming
elections.
