A pastor attached to Sovereign Revival Church of Christ (SRCC) in Bukedea, Mr Abraham Ikara, is on the run after preaching against election violence during a Sunday service following the January 15 General Election.
Ikara claims security operatives attempted to arrest him, mistakenly detaining his brother, who was later released.
‘After they arrested my brother on mistaken identity, they released him but immediately surrounded my home, lucky enough by that time I had checked out,’ Ikara said on Wednesday evening.
He said his sermon, addressing ‘sin committed in politics and at workplaces,’ was misinterpreted by a state informant in the congregation as incitement to violence.
He added that his role as election manager for independent Bukedea County MP candidate John Bosco Ikojo also put him at risk.
Ikojo, who ran independently after contested NRM primaries, told local media that his home in Malera Sub-county had been under surveillance since January 14. He alleged widespread electoral irregularities and voter intimidation.
‘These goons took over the election exercise, they denied journalist access to Bukedea, they ticked all the ballot papers in favour of the candidate of their choice, that by 10:00am, all polling stations had been deserted as the goons staged havoc under the protection of 17 police vans,’ Ikojo said.
He said authorities sought his arrest after what he described as a stolen victory, forcing him briefly to flee to Kenya before assurances of protection from the President’s Office allowed his return.
Ikojo claimed that less than 2% of registered voters cast ballots, but results were apportioned to give 68,000 votes to the declared winner, 10,000 to him, and smaller amounts to other candidates.
His campaign manager, bodyguard, and over 30 supporters were arrested and remanded to Bukedea government prison.
Dozens of residents also fled due to threats of arrest with LC3 candidate Joseph Amailem telling Monitor that his business was ransacked, and he had to leave Malera.
‘I am an LC3 candidate but for the last 8 days, I have not been able to campaign, they want me arrested,’ Amailem said.
Deputy Regional Police Commander for South Kyoga, Samuel Abbedi, denied that police aided election violence, saying investigations into allegations raised by Ikara and others are ongoing.
‘Victims should learn to report matters to police. That is what helps us as law enforcement institution to conduct thorough investigations,’ Abbedi said, adding that citizens aggrieved by results should seek remedies through the courts.