Rukungiri District Woman MP by-election has been marred with widespread violence which erupted early Thursday morning with security arresting opposition supporters.
The race is between two political giants; Betty Muzanira who stands on FDC ticket and her closest rival Winfred Masiko, the ruling party candidate.
At the peak of the campaigns; the country’s political heavyweights; President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Col Kizza Besigye camped in the district and canvassed support for their candidates.
To many Ugandans this election is between these long time political adversaries.
Whereas Besigye and his ilk believe Rukungiri is the opposition stronghold, Museveni and his group are seeking to retain Masiko in Parliament after Court annulled her victory which culminated into a by-election.
On Thursday morning May 31, which was gazetted by Electoral Commission as the official polling day, chaos erupted in some polling stations as voters protested delay of voting kits.
This prompted security to swing in action and restore order.
According to the election observer Crispin Kaheru, among those arrested include former Rukungiri LC5 chairman Athanasius Rutaro.
“Former Rukingiri LC V Chairperson Athanasius Rutaro is currently being held at Rukungiri police station. He was arrested this morning at Katobo trading center as he made his way to Nyakagyeme to monitor polling day proceedings on behalf of the FDC candidate, Betty Muzanira,” Kaheru told this website.
TrumpetNews is following up and will bring you more details and happenings of this election exercise.