Heavy military deployment worries Ntungamo Municipality opposition candidates as election nears

NTUNGAMO- The opposition and independent candidates in the Ntungamo Municipality MP seat have expressed worry over the heavy deployment of military forces claiming that it may result in intimidation, multiple voting and ballot stuffing in both presidential and parliamentary elections.

At joint press briefing in Ntungamo town on Monday, the incumbent Hon Gerald Karuhanga from ANT, Rumanzi Perez of FDC and other Beyendeza Edward, Moses Bishanga Kafumba and Ampereza Hillary all independents noted that government is in bed with NRM candidate Yona Musinguzi Bikwatsizehi to give him support of army for the purposes of rigging votes on polling day.

According to Hon Karuhanga there has been a plot to use armed forces to participate in the electoral process saying that since the army barracks was created in Kikoni parish Ntungamo sub county in Ruhaama county, many have been secretly registered as voters in the municipality yet they should vote from Ruhaama county.

He noted that in 2016 elections armed forces were overwhelmingly observed in the horrendous skirmishes in the municipality in favor of NRM candidate who was later defeated.

Karuhanga revealed that it is the constitutional mandate of the armed forces to keep peace, stability, law and order but in Ntungamo it’s actually opposite where they have been involved in multiple voting thus violence.

He urged the electoral commission, chief defense forces and IGP to take keen interest in the role of several military trucks that are in the vicinity of Ntungamo Municipality if free and fair elections are to be realized.

Rumanzi Perez who is contesting on FDC ticket noted that they have received credible information that forces are to be used in ballot stuffing and intimidation meaning that incidents of insecurity will be increased by the army instead of providing security to voters.

Rumanzi said that they shall not look on as the NRM government went into an arrangement with NRM candidates to use armed forces to destabilize the electoral process.

He noted that at least 784 soldiers have been registered to vote at five polling stations Irenga, Kikoni, Orubaare, Kabagyenda and Kabahambi

The independent candidate Ampereza Hillary also condemned the act militarizing the electoral process as if the candidates are preparing for the war.

Ntungamo Municipality has 17,000 people of which 12,000 are voters.

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