Six supporters of Patrick Mwesigwa Obama, the Hoima East Division Member of Parliament, are in custody for holding a campaign rally at Hoima Police barracks situated in Police Cell, Central Ward. The suspects, whose details are yet to be revealed by the police, include three drivers and three officials from Obama’s campaign team.
Available information gathered by Uganda Radio Network (URN) indicates that the six supporters were picked up by detectives when they went to hold a rally at the Hoima police barracks on Tuesday evening. According to the harmonized campaign schedule issued by the Electoral Commission, Obama, the incumbent MP for Hoima East Division, was slated to campaign from Park Cell, Central Market, and later at Police Cell at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The first two campaign rallies proceeded without any interruptions. However, trouble arose when Obama and his campaign team arrived at the Police Barracks to canvass for votes. Upon arrival, police officers immediately surrounded the campaign team, impounded all three campaign vehicles, and arrested six supporters.
Zabib Alu, the LC1 Chairperson for Police Cell where the barracks are situated, explained that he had invited Obama to campaign in the police barracks because other candidates, including Jonah Byakutaga of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), had previously held rallies there without any interruptions. Sunday Balya, the Chief Campaigner for Obama, blamed police for blocking their scheduled rally, suggesting that the act could have been intended to frustrate their efforts to speak to voters.
Speaking during a telephone interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Obama said that his coordinator at the Police Barracks had organized the rally, but they were shocked when officers impounded their vehicles and arrested six of their supporters. He condemned the arrests, emphasizing that the campaign schedule was approved by the Electoral Commission.
When contacted for a comment, Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region police spokesperson, declined to comment on the matter.
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