Kampala Metropolitan Police arrested a total of 150 suspects over alleged offences linked to the recently concluded Local Council 1 (LC1) elections on July 29 and August 1 across the metropolis.
“Out of the 150 suspects that were arrested in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, a total of 78 suspects have so far been arraigned before the court of law.
Some of the arrested suspects were cautioned, others were released on police bond, while several cases remain under active investigation,” Racheal Kawala, Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, said on Monday in a briefing.
Kawala said the suspects face various charges, including assault, interference with the electoral process, attempted murder, forgery, incitement to violence, and malicious damage to property.
Among the most serious incidents under active investigation is an attempted murder case registered at Mpigi Central Police Station.
According to police, the incident occurred on July 28 in Rwonga Village, Namasa County, Mpigi District, where two suspects-identified as Moses Chiwani and Mohamed Mutebi-allegedly stabbed a voter while he was standing in line to cast his ballot.
“The incident occurred while the victim had lined up to cast his vote. Investigations into the matter are ongoing,” Kawala recalled.
Police are also probing a case of malicious poisoning of livestock reported on August 2 in Karagala Village, Ssunga Town Council, Mpigi District. Unknown persons allegedly poisoned goats belonging to a local resident.
Preliminary investigations indicate the victim was targeted due to her perceived support for a rival LC1 candidate.
Some members of opposition groups were charged for allegedly disrupting the election process by setting up charcoal stoves to cook and eat on the carriageway, severely disrupting traffic.
While commending the generally peaceful conduct of the LC1 polls, police issued a stern warning against violence ahead of the upcoming Local Council 2 (LC2) parish elections scheduled for later this month.
MG/as/APA