Political Intimidation Reported in Ruhama By-Elections

Citizens' Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), together with the South Western Institute for Policy and Advocacy (SOWIPA), has reported widespread political intimidation in the Ruhaama county by-election, slated for Thursday.

The groups which deployed community observers in the county since 11th December, 2017 revealed that, there has been widespread intimidation of politicians and voters.

CCEDU coordinator, Crispy Kaheru says, the most affected sub county is Rweikiniro, where instances of voter bribery, isolated incidents of violence, as well as cases of candidates holding campaign meetings beyond 6:00pm, were reported.

Although CCEDU does not specify the group behind political intimidation, Independent candidates had at the end of December written to the Electoral Commission, to restrain Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Justine Mbabazi, from intimidating their supporters.

The Ruhaama seat fell vacant, after the death of area MP William Beijukye Zinkuratire (NRM), on 4th November 2017.