Police in northern Uganda’s Apac District are holding two mayoral candidates over allegations of inciting violence during polling, following a string of election-related clashes that left several people injured.
Those in custody are Patrick Ongom Eyul, the incumbent Apac Municipality mayor and flagbearer of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Andrew Awany, an independent candidate, police said.
The two were arrested at around 10am on Election Day (Tuesday) after what police described as ‘a series of violent incidents’ reported since the previous day.
Authorities allege the candidates appeared on local radio stations on polling morning and made statements deemed to have incited violence.
They are being held at Apac Central Police Station, as investigations continue.
At least five people were injured in attacks blamed on suspected goons allegedly hired by one of the candidates now in custody.
The victims were assaulted overnight and beaten severely, according to police and eyewitness accounts.
One of the victims, Ambrose Okello, said he was attacked while travelling to town to vote.
‘I was travelling back to town from the village to come and vote but these people, whom I suspect were hired by the current mayor, waylaid our vehicle and pelted stones at us, injuring many people,’ he said.
Another victim, John Arum, said he sustained head injuries and chest pain following the attack.
‘I had gone to the village to dig, but when we hired a truck to bring us back to town where we are registered voters, Ongom and his group attacked us, accusing us of being hired by his competitors,’ he said.
Police also arrested four other suspects accused of being part of the group that stormed Teitek Polling Station in Angayiki Ward, where they allegedly attempted to interfere with the voting process.
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the arrests, saying the matter was under investigation.
‘I can confirm to you that we have those suspects in our custody. They went to the radio station and made some statements yet they are not allowed to campaign or make media statements on polling day,’ Okema said.
Despite the incidents, police said voting in Apac Municipality largely proceeded smoothly. Officials also said the biometric voter verification kits, which had earlier malfunctioned during presidential, parliamentary and local government polls, were functioning properly on polling day.