There is heavy police deployment at Kasangati Resort Centre following claims by supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi that there is vote-rigging taking place there.
A huge crowd has gathered outside the hotel insisting that the place be opened and checked. Kyagulanyi’s supporters say that boxes of pre-ticked ballot papers, in favour of NRM party candidate Sitenda Sebalu are kept there.
Police was firing teargas and arresting angry supporters outside the hotel.
Amidst heavy deployment, police commanders in the area have given conflicting reports on what is happening inside the hotel.
While the Kasangati Police commander Richard Kachumu said there was no activity taking place at Kasangati Resort Centre, the Kampala Metropolitan Commander, Frank Mwesigwa said there “are some NRM officials in the hotel but no rigging.” Pushed further by journalists, Mwesigwa simply said: “I know there is nothing there.
The Kyadondo East parliamentary seat fell vacant after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court nullifying the victory of Apollo Kantinti, a member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FCD). Court cited non-compliance with the electoral laws, disfranchising voters and failing to secure custody of election materials.
Kantinti is in the race to reclaim his seat alongside four other candidates including Sitenda Sebalu who is standing on the ruling NRM party ticket.
It is Sebalu who petitioned court after losing to Kantinti by a margin of 326 votes in the February 2016 parliamentary race.
Other candidates in the race are Independents Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu also known as Bobi Wine, a local musician, Nkunyingi Muwada Sowedi Kayongo Male. Though Kyagulanyi and Nkunyingi stood as Independents, they have both identified with FDC before.
