Several supporters of Jude Mbabaali, the Bukoto Central parliamentary loser , have been injured in fresh fights with military police in Masaka.
The fights erupted at Kabonera trading center where thousands of Mbabaali's supporters started there procession to Masaka town, to deliver a petition challenging the declaration of Speaker Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, as the Bukoto Central Member of Parliament.
On Saturday, Tugume Mugisha, the Masaka returning office, under unclear circumstances, declared Ssekandi as the Bukoto Central Member of Parliament.
But Jude Mbabaali, his DP rival vehemently rejected the poll results.
Today, Mbabali mobilized the entire Bukoto Central voters to demand the cancellation of the results.
Responding to his call, more than 2, 000 voters gathered at Kabonera trading center, along the Masaka-Mutukura Highway and started what they described as the 10,000 match to the electoral Commission and Masaka High Court.
The angry voters are also demanding the resignation of Speaker Ssekandi.
However, hardly had they hit the road, than military police swung into action and started beating them up using batons.
Many fled into the bush, but later emerged at Nabajuzi swamp on Masaka –Mutukura highway where a fierce fight with police erupted.
Military police used teargas to disperse the strong-minded supporters, but were not moved until police fired in the air causing panic.
In the process, Military police battered several of these supporters and ordered them off their truck and started thumping them. One unidentified woman was left naked, when her gomesi tore into pieces.
Nsubuga Steven, one of the protesters whose eye was injured says they were escorting Mbabaali to deliver his petition challenging Ssekandi's declaration when soldiers pounced on them and brutalized them.
Nsubuga, who was speaking in Luganda, says he was shocked when Ssekandi who many did not vote for, was declared winner.
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Cosmasi Kyamaanyi, the other protester cried loud to policemen telling them that they were wasting their time. He explains that until the votes are recounted, they will not go back home. He also said they will not allow Ssekandi to represent them in parliament, because they never voted for him.
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Jude Mbabaali, who was leading the convoy of protesters, was also injured in the scuffle. He tried to defend his supporters but police could not listen. He explains that he was disappointed that his supporters were being brutalized, yet Fred Ssekiwere, the Regional police commander, had gave him a green light to mobilize his supporters as long as they do not destabilize peace.
Speaker Edward Ssekandi, who is accused of bribing Tugume Mugisha, the Masaka Returning officer, could not be reached for a comment, as his phone was swicthed off and his home in Kuzuungu Zone is under tight security.
In the meantime, tension is still running high in Masaka, as several of blocked supporters of Mbabaali are sneaking through Nabajjuzi swamp to make their way to Masaka town. Police says they are not opposed to the protests but dont want to see a spiral into violence.
The deployments have paralyzed traffic flow along the Masaka-Mutukura highway, with several vehicles parked by the roadside.
