Tanga Odoi Goes To Sheema Over Violence And Voter Bribery, Sembabule, Koboko, 12 Others Listed As Violence Hotspots Ahead Of NRM primaries

The NRM electoral commission chairperson Tango Odoi is set to go Sheema district over allegations of violence and voter bribery sited out from the hot race between Mr. Dickson Katesumbwa and Minister Elioda Tumwesigye whose supporters are accusing the counterparts of harassing and beating others and bribing voters.

The intervention of Tango Odoi is expected to help calm the situation and tame on the actions of violence with the help of police and army deployments, it alleged that voters are being offers money between (300,000 -150000 Ugx) depending on the negotiating capacity of the voters and the campaign managers and agents of the contenders.

Similarly Sembabule, Koboko and 12 other districts have been blacklisted by police as potential hotspots of violence ahead of primary elections for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Others are Kassanda, Kazo, Bundibugyo, Sironko, Mbale, Hoima, Koboko, Adjumani, Kashongi, Kampala, Wakiso and Hoima.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga told journalists on Tuesday that the districts were listed basing on recent skirmishes between supporters of rival candidates.

For Sheema District, violence has already been reported in Sheema Municipality where supporters of State Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Elioda Tumwesigye and former Commissioner for Uganda Revenue Authority Dickens Kateshumbwa have clashed on several occasions.

In Sebambule, supporters of Lwemiya MP Theodore Ssekikuubo and those of State Minister for transport Joyce Kabatsi have clashed just as those of President Yoweri Museveni’s relative Godfrey Aine and Shartis Musherure Nayebare, the daughter of foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa for Mawogola North.

In Koboko Municipality, supporters of State Minister for Privatization and Investment, Evelyn Anite and those of Dr Charles Ayume, have also clashed in the race for the Koboko Municipality MP NRM flag.

In Kassanda South constituency, supporters of incumbent MP Simeo Nsubuga and those of Michael Muhumuza clashed at the weekend, leaving some people seriously injured.

In Busiro North, Wakiso district, former Vice President Prof Gilbert Bukenya is battling the incumbent MP and Minister for Luweero Triangle Dennis Ssozi Galabuzi. The supporters of the two rival groups have also clashed during the campaigns.

Mr Enanga said police have deployed intelligence teams on the ground to ensure the exercise ends peacefully.

“The operational guidelines are normal law enforcement guidelines. However, our posture is supported by actionable intelligence on the ground. We shall create a peaceful and secure environment for their party primaries to take place as requested,” he said.

Kazo district is another hotspot where the race for Woman MP has eight contestants including State minister for Economic Monitoring Molly Kamukama.

The race for Hoima Woman MP last week turned ugly when aspirant Beatrice Wembabazi was allegedly beaten to comma by supporters of incumbent MP Harriet Mugenyi Businge.