NRM recruiting, training over 38000 militias as vote rigging strategy-IPC

According to the latest report released by the Inter Party Corporation (IPC) the NRM has embarked on an unprecedented recruitment, training and deployment of militias indifferent parts of the country. According to Mrs. Margaret Wokuri the IPC director of communication this is against the electoral guidelines. “IPC would like to draw the attention of Ugandans and the entire world to the continued unprecedented, unlawful recruitment, training and deployment of militia in the different parts of the

This comes shortly after a report that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is to recruit 18000 polling constables to provide security at all polling stations during the voting exercise. However, the IPC disagrees to the move saying it is not the duty of the police to recruit polling constables but rather the ECs. “Can the IGP confirm to the stakeholders (opposition parties) if the EC asked him to recruit the said polling constables and why other stake holders were not consulted?” asks the IPC Communication Director.

“We want the public to know that this recruitment of the said polling constables has nothing to do with providing security but a ploy to aid vote rigging for the NRM government” she continues assertively.

The report further establishes that in the recent past the police amalgamated Mobile Police Patrol Unit (MPPU) and Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) to form a field force unit (FFU) which in African perspective is known as FANYA FUJO UWONE created to fight anticipated electoral demonstrations againt NRM’s electoral malpractices.

The report reveals that in Ntungamo district alone, thirty NRM leaning youths were recruited from each village to form a group of 29,100 youths who are undergoing vigorous training in the name of ‘ village Crime Fighters.’ “If the entire police force is 38,000 men and women, how can a single district have such a large force” queries Margaret Wokuri. This is certainly certainly created to give mileage to the first lady in terms of votes but also to intimidate the opposition in the area. The fighting of crime should be structured whereby youths are recruited without any party discrimination”

The report also highlight that the UPDF is currently training 8000 recruits in Kapeka under the command of General Elly Tumwine and other 1500 recruits are being trained at Singo army Barracks under Brig Mugisha, in-charge Air defence and intelligence . Both gentlemen are not structured in charge of training in the UPDF. These forces are purposely for vote rigging and for intimidating the opposition.