Three Forum for Democratic Change members have been arrested in Masaka for exciting violence in the ongoing municipal elections.
Abdul Ssozi, Julius Tegaleka and John Bosco Ssebuguzi were arrested in Kimanya for confronting supporters of the NRM mayoral candidate, William Kalumba about voter bribery allegation claims. They said Kalumba's supporters were handing out money and food in order to swing the elections in their favor.
William Kalumba, who was accused of similar malpractice earlier in the day, denies the bribery claims.
The arrested FDC members were all supporters of Godfrey Kayemba, the FDC mayoral candidate.
Kayemba says they were victims of a police witch-hunt. He says that instead of investigating the bribery claims, the police are harassing the opposition. He says his vehicle that was being used to transport evidence of rigging was impounded by the police today.
Kayemba claims that NRM campaign officers spent last night distributing sugar, salt and money. He says he has attempted to counter this by deploying polling agents throughout Masaka Municipality, but is being frustrated by the police.
George Kayemba says the people of Masaka are not fooled by the partisan operations of the police and will elect him into office today.
The southern regional police spokesperson, Noah Sserunjogi, refuses to discuss the arrest. He says the suspects are being held in the Masaka police station cells.
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