Government has distanced itself from the violence that has been witnessed during the recent campaigns for the Kawempe North by-elections saying the actions of individuals britalising citizens aren’t state sanctioned and proposed to have the perpetrators held liable for their actions.
Right from the day National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer, Erias Luyimbaazo Nalukoola was nominated, different security group operatives ranging from Uganda Police, JATT, and the UPDF and now into the campaigns have been seen brutalising people and a number of them are nursing wounds in hospitals yet others have been violently arrested and charged with different counts.
JATT Operatives Arrest MPS Nkunyingi, Nyeko & a Host of Other NUP Activists
However, while addressing Parliament on Tuesday, David Bahati, the Minister of Trade for Industries who spoke on behalf of Government, in response to several complaints raised by Opposition MPs, protesting the brutality meted on Ugandans and arrests during the campaign trail he disowned these actions and people seen clad in different security group uniforms, holding guns, sticks and electric wires and violently beating up Ugandans.
“We stated last week that there is no state sponsored violence in these elections. The state hasn’t sanctioned this and the people who are harming people in elections should be brought to book. So we are doing what we can as Government to ensure that people enjoy the freedom ushered in by the National Resistance Movement, they elect their leaders in a free environment. We shall continue to guard against this violence so that people can elect their leaders in a free and fair environment,” noted Bahati.
Speaker of Parliament Among Seeks For Another Term-Declares When to Retire