Janet Museveni leads, Babu, Mukula trail

From MONITOR TEAM

First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni was set to enter Parliament having taken an early lead over her opponent in Ruhaama constituency, FDC's Augustine Ruzindana.

Janet Museveni was leading in all the 13 polling stations so far counted by press time. Rain disrupted the counting and the tally center in Ntungamo had not given conclusive results by press time.

In Rushenyi, the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana also reportedly took a slim lead over his rival, FDC's Dan Mugarura by press time. In Bushenyi, the Minister of Water, Lands and Environment Gen. Kahinda Otafiire was heading for a landslide over FDC's Chapaa Karuhanga in Ruhinda while his cabinet colleagues, Dr Richard Nduhuura, and Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere were also heading for victory.

Chapaa and Bushenyi district speaker Tayebwa Odo had conceded defeat by last evening. Chapaa claimed that although Otafiire was heading for victory, it had been attained through vote buying and outright intimidation.

Odo also claimed his rival, minister Nduhuura had bought himself back to parliament. "When people put in a lot of money and the people accept the money, then you have no choice," a disappointed Odo told Daily Monitor last evening.

Sabiiti trails in Rukiga

In Rukiga, Kabale, where FDC strongman and the incumbent Jack Sabiiti was reportedly trailing behind NRM's Sam Byanagwa in three quarters of the polling stations. Like in Ntungamo, the tally center was also put out of action by a heavy downpour that erupted as counting started.

In Mbarara, the incumbent and FDC's candidate Maj. John Kazoora was trailing NRM's Urban Tibamanya in more than half of the polling stations so far counted by press time. Rain had also disrupted counting in Kashaari.

The tally center in Mbarara also closed by 10.00 pm but the independent Mrs Miria Matembe, an opposition sympathiser was trailing NRM's Emma Boona. In Kinkizi West, Kanungu, where voting materials arrived at 3.pm, defence minister Amama Mbabazi was leading his rival, FDC's Garuga Musinguzi before the conclusive results could come in by press time.

In Rukungiri, the home of FDC president, Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Minister of Health Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi was also reportedly leading FDC's Athanatious Rutaro by a good margin in half of the polling stations counted by press time. The only surprise in the West was Bufumbira South, Kisoro where Bucanayandi Grace was leading minister Sam Bitangaro in three quarters of the polling stations so far tallied.

Mukula in trouble

In Soroti Municipality, Capt. Mike Mukula, the Junior Health minister was trailing a one Ekemu of FDC. In Lira Municipality, UPC's James Akena, the son of former UPC president late Dr Milton Obote was still ahead of NRM's Sam Engola and the incumbent, Ms Cecilia Ogwal who contested as an independent.

Babu trails

In Kampala Central, DP's Erias Lukwago was leading the state minister for housing Capt. Francis Babu. At Salompas polling station, Lukwago got 93 while Babu scored 39 votes. At All Saints A-J Babu got 99 Lukwago 56. At Ministry of Information Babu was leading with a small margin of 69 against Lukwago's 56 votes. For the Kampala woman’s seat FDC's Nabila Nagayi was in a comfortable lead over NRM's Margaret Nantongo Zziwa.

REPORTED BY FELIX BASIIME, PATSON BARAIRE, RODNEY MUHUMUZA, MUHEREZA KYAMUTETERA, ROBERT MUHEREZA, GAAKI KIGAMBO, JUDE LUGYA, JANE NAFULA, HUDSON APUNYO, Ushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale and Ntungamo districts.

In Rukiga County, Kabale, an angry mob torched a vehicle belonging to Capt. David Matsiko, the Movement Director for Kyankwanzi political school.

A heavy morning downpour and pockets of violence disrupted voting in Eastern Uganda. At Mutoto TCA polling center in Bungkho, Mutoto sub county, Voters refused to cast their vote for both presidential and parliamentary candidates.

They were enraged that a third transparent box at the polling station was missing. No amount of improvisation or persuasion by Mbale District Chairman Mr Bernard Mujasi and returning Officer Salim Kazindo could change the minds of voters.

In Mbale several election complaints were filed and two incumbent MPs in the area, Michael Werikhe (Bungokho South) who is seeking re-election and Wilfred Kajeke (Youth MP for Eastern) now standing in Mbale municipality recorded statements at the police station in relation to the violence in which several people were injured and one vehicle damaged. In Soroti, the Serere MP Charles Koluo was arrested for allegedly distributing money to influence voters in favour of NRM’s Yoweri Museveni. By Midday he was still being held at Serere police post.

In Kamuli, police impounded two vehicles and arrested nine people believed to be supporters of FDC and agents of the party’s Vice President, Ms Salaamu Musumba who is contesting the Bugabula South seat, in connection with alleged intimidation and bribery of voters.

Similarly, two men believed to be NRM supporters were arrested at Buyaga polling station in Sironko district with Shs2 million, which they were using to bribe voters to vote for Ms Beatrice Wabudeya and President Museveni. The case was registered at the police station as FD 06/23/02/2006. About 11 cases of violence and intimidation of voters has been registered.