At least 200 polling agents attached to Innocent Mwine Bakamuhara, an independent candidate in the Ibanda Municipality Member of Parliament race, spent a tense night confined in a hall after being suspected of being illegal voters.
The agents were locked inside the Ibanda Core Primary Teachers’ College (PTC) hall at around 11:30 p.m. on the eve of polling, triggering fear and confusion among those inside as well as the surrounding community.
Godfrey Mbetegyereize, the Ibanda Resident District Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Security Committee, confirmed the confinement but refuted reports that he ordered the action.
Mbetegyereize explained that concerns had been raised by members of the public, including political candidates, who suspected the group had been mobilised to cause chaos during the election. He said the presence of a large number of people gathered in one place late at night naturally raised suspicion, but stressed that the situation has since normalised.
He added that following overnight interrogations, the individuals were confirmed to be duly appointed agents and were released early in the morning to report to their respective polling stations.
However, Bakamuhara condemned the incident, describing it as deliberate voter intimidation on the eve of polling. He explained that he had legally hired the hall to train his agents and issue them appointment letters. He alleges that when police confronted the group, violence ensued, leaving several agents injured.
According to Bakamuhara, some of the agents were beaten by security personnel and are currently in critical condition, nursing injuries sustained during the confrontation.
The incident also sparked outrage from religious leaders. Rev. Fr. Dr Paul Mutume, the Parish Priest of Ibanda Catholic Parish, Kagongo, condemned what he termed an attack on a place of peace and sanctuary. “We were held captive on this, our hill of saints, Kagongo. The siege that was arbitrarily staged went deep into the night and early morning,” Rev. Fr. Mutume said.
He condemned what happened, describing the incident as an attack on the entire community. He noted that the events left the parish shaken and fearful, but urged residents to remain calm and refrain from any acts of retaliation.
“After the elections, we shall engage responsible people in higher authority. For now, remain peaceful and do not resort to revenge,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson Samson Kasasira dismissed claims that the agents were arrested, saying they were only confined due to security concerns arising from overcrowding. He added that the matter will be investigated.
Ibanda Municipality is voting today following the cancellation of the earlier poll after discrepancies were discovered in the candidates’ photographs on the ballot papers.
The contest pits Rashid Muganda Kirangwa (Independent), Peter Agaba of the NRM Party, Innocent Mwine Bakamuhara (Independent), and Sarapio Betungura (Independent) in a race closely watched amid heightened security and political tension.
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