The East Kyoga Regional Police has confirmed the arrest of 43 opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members for allegedly bribing voters.
According to East Kyoga Police Spokesperson, ASP Ageca Oscar, those arrested include FDC Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat, former Kasese Municipality Member of Parliament, Robert Centenary. and others who were allegedly bribing people and campaigning yet the campaigning period was over.
“The Uganda police force at East Kyoga territorial command has arrested the Forum for Democratic Change, FDC Party President Patrick Amuriat, former Kasese MP Robert Centenary and Omerou Paul the Mayor Soroti East Division as well as 39 other persons. The 42 persons were found campaigning for the Forum for democratic change candidate beyond the legally mandated time of 600pm to at night at Elysian guest House in Akisim ward, Soroti east division in Soroti city,” said Ageca in a statement on Thursday morning.
“We would like to caution the public against violation of electoral laws which goes against the spirit of equal participation, and observance of law by all stakeholders,” he added.
Amuriat has been in Soroti campaigning for FDC’s Attan Moses in the Soroti City East Member of Parliament by-election taking place today.
To ensure law and order throughout today’s polls, Ageca said they have deployed both human and non-human “assets” to provide a conducive environment for all stakeholders to exercise their rights under the law, such as the right to vote, witness, support etc.
He informed the public that violation of electoral laws is not only criminal and an act punishable by law under the penal system, but also a violation of the fundamental human rights of an individual to participate in the electoral process, adding that it prevents the application of justice to all citizenry as under the law.
“The public is advised not to engage in electoral malpractice; it carries penal sanctions, and all individuals arrested in the commission of the same shall be arrested and arraigned in the courts of law,” Ageca said.
The opposition has raised various complaints in the Soroti City East MP by-election, such as numberless cars moving around.
Ageca warned that all cars with no number plates will be impounded.
“We also warn all drivers to desist from using numberless cars as they will be arrested and the vehicles impounded,” he said.
Additional Reporting By Chimpreports