By KT Reporter
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abasi Byakagaba has intensified security presence in Sembabule district amid escalating political tensions during the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries campaigns. On Wednesday, the IGP, accompanied by several Police directors, held a prolonged security meeting with local police commanders at the district headquarters. He issued strict instructions aimed at preventing any form of election-related violence in the area.
The deployment follows a week after political chaos rocked Lwemiyaga constituency, where the army shot and killed one person during clashes between supporters of incumbent MP Theodore Ssekikubo and security personnel. The confrontation occurred at Kireega village, Kampala parish in Lwemiyaga sub-county, during the launch of Ssekikubo’s campaign to retain the NRM party flag.
He is challenged by retired Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande in the primaries. Meanwhile, Byakagaba has increased both personnel and heavy security equipment in the area to avert further incidents.
Byakagaba also revealed that a team of senior officers has been designated to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident in Lwemiyaga.
Additionally, the Police is considering allocating Sembabule district its own policing sub-region, separating it from the greater Masaka region, to ensure quicker enforcement responses to security incidents. This new sub-region will also include Bukomansimbi and Lyantonde districts, with its headquarters in Sembabule. Yasin Kironde, a contestant for the NRM flag for Mawogola County MP, expressed optimism that the heightened security deployment will restore sanity to the campaigns and ensure peaceful primaries set for July 17. He lamented that some prominent politicians have manipulated local police officers to intimidate opponents’ supporters.
Wilberforce Begumisa, who is contesting for the Mawogola West MP ticket against State Minister for Health Anifa Kawooya, appealed to the IGP to transfer certain police officers he accuses of bias. Begumisa alleges his opponent has connived with police to detain some of his campaign agents unfairly. Meanwhile, Theodore Ssekikubo appealed to the IGP to halt army interference in the campaigns and allow the police to take full charge.
Notably, last week, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Tanga Odoi, waived joint party campaigns in both Lwemiyaga and Mawogola West constituencies due to political chaos and clashes between rival camps-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
