Kawempe byelection: Security tightened amid alleged abduction concern
Kituuma urged candidates and their supporters to adhere to Electoral Commission guidelines to ensure a peaceful voting process.
The Police Spokesperson, Rusoke Kituuma, addressing the media during the weekly security update held at the police headquarters in Naguru. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)
Simon Masaba
Journalist @New Vision
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Security agencies have heightened vigilance ahead of the Kawempe North byelection scheduled for March 13, following concerns over political tensions and reports of an alleged abduction involving a National Unity Platform (NUP) mobiliser.
Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Police Headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma urged candidates and their supporters to adhere to Electoral Commission guidelines to ensure a peaceful voting process.
“We have deployed security officers across all nine parishes in Kawempe North, each under the command of a Superintendent of Police, to co-ordinate election security and prevent any form of violence,” Kituuma said.
He also warned against the premature announcement of results by unauthorised persons.
“We urge all stakeholders to wait for the official declaration of results to avoid creating unnecessary tension,” he added.
Alleged abduction of NUP mobiliser raises concerns
Meanwhile, Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of Charles Muvawala, a political mobiliser linked to NUP, who went missing on March 5 before resurfacing two days later.
According to Police, Muvawala, was last seen at Happy Boys Bar in Nakulabye before telling his driver that he was stepping out to use an ATM.
CCTV footage reviewed by police shows him leaving the bar and engaging in a brief conversation with unidentified individuals, before getting onto a motorcycle—his last known movement before he was reported missing.
On March 7, his family informed police that he had reappeared, claiming he had been abducted and held in a freezer by unknown captors.
However, when Police sought further details, his driver directed them to NUP secretary general, Lewis Rubongoya, and deputy spokesperson, Waiswa Mufumbiro, for further clarification.
“Our doors remain open for Muvawala and his representatives to provide a full account of what happened. We are treating this matter seriously and need cooperation to establish the facts,” Kituuma stated.