Kadaga Calls For Audit On Election Violence in Busoga

First Deputy Premier, Rebecca Kadaga, has called for an audit in the electoral violence across the Busoga sub-region in the just-concluded national and local elections.

During her post election address, which was broadcast live across different radio stations in Busoga, Kadaga noted that she has been receiving reports of trumped-up charges aimed at silencing dissent.  “I call upon those who were affected in election-related violence to register their complaints with us, and we shall follow up with relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails,” She urged. 

Kadaga says that she has been receiving reports of election-related violence inflicted on voters largely by leaders. 

“Some leaders in Buyende district are using their power to suppress dissent, yet literally, people ought to be given space to decide on the leaders they want, rather than forcing them to make contrary decisions,” She added.

She alleged that in Buyende district, the Minister for Presidency, Milly Babalanda, hired gangs to beat up voters, including the incumbent MP of Budiope West, Ibrahim Kyoto, who was beaten and incarcerated.

“The same inappropriate treatment was extended to other leaders in Buyende district, who declined to support her parliamentary bid,” She stated. 

Kadaga argues that, “rather than application of force on the voters, one ought to sell out their manifesto and amicably convince them to choose them, among the many contesting for any leadership position. I have been in active politics for the past 30 years; however, we have been peacefully campaigning and gaining public appeal without application of force.”

Kadaga says that several individuals succumbed to injuries sustained during election violence encounters, whereas more than a hundred others were remanded to different prisons over trumped-up charges.

“Uganda operates under a multiparty dispensation, and we as leaders ought to appreciate this constitutional provision, rather than using authoritarian means to suppress public will.”

Kadaga’s address was in response to Milly Babalanda, who, on Monday, accused National Resistance Movement leaders of fighting her efforts geared towards transforming Busoga. 

While addressing journalists at C’s and Suites Hotel, in Jinja City on Monday, Babalanda noted that she is being fought by senior members of the NRM within Busoga, whom she accused of fronting selfish agendas over the common good.

Babalanda noted that several senior leaders within the NRM have been blackmailing her as a high-handed politician without public will. 

“I have always strived for a better Busoga; however, this journey has been characterized by endless blackmail and infightings,” she said.

Babalanda also said that, “there is no opposition in Busoga, but rather NRM leaders are fronting them to frustrate the undersigned party leaders. Opposition politicians have no money to sustain their campaigns, but they are instead funded by our very NRM leaders.”

However, in retaliation, Kadaga noted that, as the lead campaigner for President Yoweri Museveni in Busoga sub-region, she always conducted vote mobilization campaigns with NRM flag bearers in the quest for securing their party victory at all levels, but in some areas, voters thought otherwise. 

Kadaga noted that, “It is out of order to accuse me of supporting the opposition because I could not influence public will. I indeed campaigned for all our flag bearers, and 26 of them were elected; however, there are areas where voters preferred opposition politicians over our own. What is wrong with the declaration of the winning candidates? There was no way I could overturn the victory of those who were duly elected by the majority,” she said.