The Electoral Commission yesterday summoned all people who have expressed interest in elective posts in the coming new district of Rikiga, warning them about breach of electoral laws.
Early open campaigns in the proposed Rukiga district have sparked tension and insecurity in the area.
Rukiga district was curved out of Kabale and is expected to become operational on 1st July 2017; but those eyeing different political seats have already started campaigning.
Some of those involved in early campaigns for the LC V chairperson seat include Asiimwe Rwamwehare, Willy Denis Nkwasibwe and Barnabas Tugumisirize. Those campaigning for the Rukiga District Woman MP seat are Victoria Abigail Atukunda, Maureen Kyarisiima, Charity Ainebyoona Tumubweine, Alice Basobokwe, Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi and Pamela Kyomugisha Kihumuro. All these are hoping to contest on the ticket of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The Kabale District Returning Officer, Juma Adam Sheesha yesterday summoned these hopefuls together with the Kabale District NRM party Registrar for a meeting at the Electoral Commission office in Kabale town.
In the meet, he banned all activities involving early campaigns including campaign posters, citing security reasons.
Sheesha expressed concern that the contenders were rushing into election related exercises when the district itself has not even been operationalized.
Maurice Mugenga Keitaba, the Kabale NRM party Registrar concurred with Sheesha and supported the arrest of any candidate who failed to adhere to the directive.
The hopefuls had already printed out campaign posters, started campaigns in churches while others claimed they had been okayed by President Museveni to run — an issue that was on Monday refuted by Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.
Last month Rev. Venerable Epaphras Baryamureeba the Archdeacon of Kantare Archdeaconry in Kashambya sub County was transferred to work at the Kigezi Diocesan Assistant in charge of Planning at the diocese, after he was accused of openly campaigning for Atukunda who is a catholic instead of supporting a fellow protestant.
Three weeks ago, Eddie Mugisha, a political agent of Atukunda and a resident of Kitojo Parish in Rwamucucu Sub County was waylaid and injured by suspected agents of Kamusiime in Murukiri hills while riding a motor on his way home from Kabale town.
Last week, unidentified people slaughtered a rabbit and dumped the carcass on the door of Arthur Asiimwe from Rwamucucu Sub County another political agent of Atukunda. The package also contained a bloodied letter saying “excuse yourself from Rukiga politics”.
However, Alice Basobokwe one of the District Woman MP aspirant said the ban was unfair since they are always given little time during the official campaigns.