By Akampa Tanbull
As I write this, a few hours ago, a team of officers from the State House Anti Corruption Unit, swung into action in Bukedea District arresting Mr Wilberforce Tukei, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the District Police Commander (DPC) SP Charles Okoto.
Preliminary investigations indicate that they were involved in corruption scandals that led to the election mess, violence and impunity in the Bukedea District LCV by-election.
On top of DPC and DRC, the Regional Police Commander (RPC), other 5 Police Officers including Deputy ASP Alex Ehguloiti, and one District Councilor have also not been spared and as I write these they are in coolers.
Background
All these arrests emanate from President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta Tibuhaburwa’s letter he wrote on 26th June 2023, directing the Head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brig Gen Henry Isoke to investigate elements of violence, and impunity in this by-election especially on the side or camp of candidate Omagor whose academic papers were destroyed, his money amounting to Shs163 Million was equally stolen. (See the letter attached below).
It is very unfortunate that all this violence was being spearheaded by some Government officials.
Now, as I wrote on my Twitter @AkampaRugaba, elections are put in place to enable citizens to vote for leaders of their choice. And this exercise MUST be free and fair therefore any involvement of Government officials or individuals to deter any group of citizens or candidates from practicing their constitutional right is an enemy of not only the people of that area but the constitution of Uganda.
Such acts hinder or impede people from freely contesting or even coming back to polling stations to vote for their choice of leaders, which makes our young and growing democracy useless.
Like President Museveni has always condemned the violence and impunity of the 1980 elections that forced him and some of his comrades to the bush.
Election violence, vote rigging, and impunity more so by Government officials or anybody else must always be highly condemned by all sane persons who envision building a better and democratic Uganda.
Youth must always desist from being used as elements of violence and the security forces as tools of impunity.
For God & My Country Uganda.
The writer is Akampa Tanbull
Media Analyst – Office of the National Chairman of NRM (ONC)
[email protected]
