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By Moses Lokeris-Moroto
A section of political candidates and agents have raised concerns over what they termed as politically motivated violence, sighting cases of alleged beatings and electrocution of some of their supporters during the wee hours of the night in Moroto Municipality, with just days left to the general elections.
Simon Kokoi, a political agent of Fred Angella, an independent candidate for Moroto Municipality seat noted that they have recorded many of their supporters being beaten by gangs majorly in the night hours, giving example of one of their strong supporter known as big sylvah who was allegedly beaten and electrocuted and currently nursing wounds in St kizito Matany Hospital.
He said they reported the case to police but they complicated the matter by asking for witnesses, yet the incident happened in the night. Francis Adome Lorika, a Member of Parliament for Moroto Municipality and also NRM flag bearer for the same position said some political candidates directly relate with criminals in the municipality, where one commits a crime even on grounds out of politics.
Hon. Adome said such candidates always come in to the rescue for such people, even when arrested by police for committing crimes, not related to politics. He urged that politicians should draw lines between politics and crimes because it may cause mistrust and insecurity in the municipality.
Henry Abaho, the District Police Commander, Moroto confirmed that the campaign period has generally been calm compared to other parts of the country, but his office has received about 2 cases of political violence in Moroto Municipality, 1 in Tepeth and they are investigating closely. He encouraged candidates to maintain good communication and coordinate with the police in case of any alarm, and condemned violence.
Linos Okori, the Regional Election Officer urged candidates to deter from violence, hate speech, and also encouraged them to report certain assault cases to police. He said criminal cases are not the mandate of the commission but tasked the candidates to update them or serve a copy of the reported case reference as evidence in case of any petition that may arise.
With only a day to Polling, candidates and analysts are calling for restraint among the supporters of various candidates, to ensure a peaceful process in the municipality. They urge that leaders once elected serve the interest of the entire community and as such, there’s no need to spread hatred and violence against each other.
