Kalangala by-election: NUP cancels final rally over venue disputes

The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) on Monday cancelled its final campaign rally in the Kalangala Woman Member of Parliament by-election after party officials said they were repeatedly denied access to agreed campaign venues by security agencies.

Mr Habib Buwembo, the NUP national mobiliser, said the party had initially planned to hold their final rally at Kaala Grounds in Bujjumba Sub-County before being informed that the venue could not be accessed.

“We were supposed to conclude our campaigns at Kaala Grounds in Bujjumba sub-county, but on Saturday we were informed that our rally venue was near the place where President Museveni was expected to hold a rally for the NRM candidate,” Mr Buwembo said.

He explained that the party later engaged the Electoral Commission and agreed to shift the rally to Kasekulo Landing Site in Beta Parish, Mugoye Sub-county.

“We harmonised with the Electoral Commission to change our rally venue to Kasekulo Landing Site, but to our dismay, on Sunday security officials informed us that we were not supposed to host a rally on the same island with the President,” he said.

According to Mr Buwembo, party officials continued engaging security agencies and EC in search of an alternative venue.

“We engaged the EC and agreed to host our rally at Kitobo Landing Site. However, on Sunday night we received information that another candidate who was expected to campaign in the area would also be there, and we were advised not to interfere with that programme. We therefore decided to spare the day,” he said.

Mr Buwembo said failing to hold a final rally was a big blow for them because the party had planned to host several senior leaders, including the party president, to address voters in Kalangala.

“We had organised for top party leaders, including our president, to address the people of Kalangala. Unfortunately, the people have been denied that opportunity,” he said.

President Museveni spent the better part of Monday campaigning for NRM party flag bearer Ms Aidah Nabayiga, who wants to return to Parliament after losing the seat to NUP’s late Hellen Nakimuli.

Wakiso District Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Betty Ethel Naluyima, called upon the Electoral Commission to remain independent and ensure fairness during the election process.

“Anyone who has ever contested an election understands the importance of the final rally. But we were not allowed to hold our last rally in Bujjumba Sub-county. We call upon the Electoral Commission to stand firm and remain independent in situations like these,” Ms Naluyima said.

Following the cancellation of the rally, NUP leaders used the day to train party agents who will oversee the polling exercise across the district on Thursday.

Mr John Mary Ssebuufu, the party's Electoral Commission management committee chairperson, expressed confidence that the opposition party would perform well in the by-election.

“We believe we are currently at about 70 percent support and we are confident that we shall win this election,” Mr Ssebuufu said.

He urged the EC to exercise its independence and prevent interference from security agencies and political leaders.

“We want to tell the NRM that it is wrong to steal the people's vote. We ask the Electoral Commission to use its powers and not be overpowered by RDCs and security agencies to deny people their choice,” he said.

Mr Ssebuufu also urged party agents to remain vigilant at polling stations.

“We have 17 parishes, and we expect every parish to have leaders and agents managing the process. Our vote cannot be stolen if we deploy our people effectively,” he said.

The Opposition Chief Whip, Mr Paul Mwiru, urged party supporters to reach areas that had not been covered during the campaigns and called on all agents to remain at their designated polling stations.

Kalangala District has 42,425 registered voters spread across 155 polling stations on the district's 64 inhabited islands.

Election officials confirmed that all 155 ballot boxes had already arrived at EC offices in Kalangala ahead of the polling exercise.

Efforts to obtain comments from security agencies and the EC regarding the allegations by NUP were unsuccessful by press time.

The seat fell vacant following the death of former district Woman MP, Hellen Nakimuli of NUP in April.

Five candidates are vying for the seat, including: National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Ms Aidah Nabayiga, NUP candidate Ms Irene Nampala, and independents Ms Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Ms Babirye Sharifa Kaala and Ms Susan Nasuuna.

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