President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to supporters of his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to reach out to the party in case they encounter any violence or intimidation ahead of and during Thursday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
President Museveni revealed in a statement that he had received information that some NRM supporters were being targeted and threatened in order to dissuade them from casting their vote.
The intelligence, he said, indicated that NRM supporters were “being molested and threatened by unlawful activities on voting day which is intended to keep them away from voting.”
Earlier during his New Year’s message Museveni also talked of a form of vote rigging by the opposition that involved attacking and threatening NRM supporters to discourage them from voting.
In his message today, which marked the end of his campaign, Museveni said his party had set up toll free line to be called to report such intimidation.
“I therefore call upon all our Presidential Vote Protectors to be vigilant on voting day and to report all the cases of wrong doing to the NRM toll free line (0800-320-320) or to call my Personal Assistant on Political Affairs Mrs. Babirye Milly Babalanda on (0772-316-632) or the NRM Chairman’s Office Administrator Mr. Kirunda Faruk on (0752-980-486/0776-980-486),” he said.
“Both of the above staff of the Chairman’s Office and the toll free line will be available on a 24-hour basis to respond to calls of Vote Protectors. “
Museveni further called on voters to arrive at polling stations by 6.30 a.m. and to leave and await the result by the Electoral Commission.
“Our Polling Agents should be extra vigilant at the polling stations. They should be there by 6.00 am to witness the delivery of the election materials at the polling stations.”
