National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Kalifani Chemutai has decried the challenges he faces in his campaign for Member of Parliament for Kapchorwa Municipality ahead of the 2026 elections.
Chemutai, who previously contested for MP as an independent but National Resistance Movement (NRM) party-leaning in Tingey County in Kapchorwa District, said his campaign journey turned rough after he disagreed with the NRM party and joined the opposition, becoming the NUP flag bearer for Kapchorwa Municipality.
“On the day the Electoral Commission (EC) had declared for parliamentary campaigns to kick off, I was arrested and detained at Bugema Barracks for weeks without any charges against me,” Chemutai told Daily Monitor.
Chemutai is competing against other candidates, including Martin Chemonges of the NRM, Patrick Kitiyo Solimo (Independent), Peter Poloman (Independent), and former minister for privatization Rukia Kulany Chekamondo.
Chemutai recounted his ordeal, saying he was picked up by security personnel on November 10 while at his business premises, allegedly for tearing his own campaign posters.
“They put me in a drone and sped off, while in the drone they drew guns, knives, and even attempted to grab my private parts,” he said.
He was taken to Kapchorwa central police station, where he was assaulted in front of police officers, and later detained at Bugema army barracks.
“I was locked up at the quarter guard at Bugema barracks like a criminal despite being a nominated candidate,” Chemutai said.
He alleged that he was targeted for being in the opposition and escaped from the barracks after learning of plans to transfer him to Moroto Prison.
Brig Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, the Third Division Commander, denied allegations of torture and brutality, saying Chemutai was arrested for interference and had a case of escaping.
The Third Division Spokesperson, Mr Godfrey Kashaka, said Chemutai’s name is not in their records.
Chemutai said he quit the NRM party due to confusion and the party’s failure to address issues affecting Sebei, including poverty, landslides, and land grabbing.
“The NRM party is acting as if we are in a single-party system. It’s like it’s a crime to belong to another political party,” he said.
Police Spokesperson Sipi Subregion, Mr FredMark Chesang, said all candidates are being treated equally, but Chemutai was arrested for removing posters of President Museveni.
“He was arrested when the president came because he misbehaved. He removed the posters of the president, that’s why he was picked,” Chesang said.