UGANDA: RULING PARTY GEARS UP FOR FIGHT OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L KAMPALA 001847

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM UG
SUBJECT: UGANDA: RULING PARTY GEARS UP FOR FIGHT OVER
PARLIAMENTARY SEAT


Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) Summary: Residents in the eastern county of Bugweri,
Iganga District are preparing for a second parliamentary
election following a High Court ruling that nullified the
February 2006 results. The court, responding to a Forum for
Democratic Change (FDC) petition, noted a number of
irregularities in the electoral process and called for new
elections to be held on December 13. The ruling National
Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidate Kirunda Kivejinja,
who is the Minister of Information and Guidance, won in 2006.
He is expected to carry the district again as the NRM is
taking no chances and is aggressively supporting his
campaign. The High Court recalled four other parliamentary
results this year on the basis of electoral irregularities.
End Summary.

-------------- --------------
Background: Court Nullifies Bugweri Election Results
-------------- --------------


2. (U) FDC candidate Abdu Katuntu alleged in a March 30
petition to the High Court that squads of armed men wearing
yellow T-shirts, the official color of the NRM, intimidated
voters in Bugweri, Iganga District into supporting NRM
candidate Kirunda Kivejinja. The High Court sided with
Katuntu in an October 2006 ruling, nullifying the February
2006 parliamentary results. The High Court cited incidents
of voter intimidation and other irregularities. On November
13 and 14, the Electoral Commission approved four candidates
to run in the by-election, which was set for December 13.
The frontrunners, however, are Kivejinja and Katuntu.

-------------- --------------
Electoral Preparations Underway; Farmers Pessimistic
-------------- --------------


3. (U) Emboffs traveled to Bugweri on November 19 to discuss
electoral preparations with government officials and
residents. Electoral Commission (EC) Assistant District
Returning Officer Idah Tusiime told Emboffs that electoral
preparations began immediately following the October 26
ruling, and that the EC had conducted voter education through
various media outlets. Tusiime said that the EC established
several mechanisms for ensuring free and fair elections this
time, including a complaint review and electoral monitoring
committee, increased security cooperation, and training for
polling officials.


4. (U) Emboffs met with peasant farmers in Bugweri on
November 19. Residents confirmed reports of intimidation and
irregularities during the February 2006 election, and
welcomed the opportunity to vote again. They shared
frustration over what they believe was a lack of interest in
addressing issues of potable water, healthcare, and education
in their region. "The politicians are only interested in
maintaining their positions when they get to Kampala," one
commented.

--------------
Comment
--------------


5. (C) Electoral preparations appear to be moving forward
without incident, but based on previous by-elections, the
ruling NRM can be expected to turn up the heat as election
day nears. The NRM has placed great importance on helping
70-year-old Kivejinja, who is also the Third Deputy Prime
Minister and the Minister of Information and Guidance,
maintain his parliamentary seat in the opposition-friendly
district. Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and NRM General
Secretary and Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs

SIPDIS
Major Mutale Kakooza attended Kivejinja's November 16
campaign launch. Kakooza's presence, given his connection to
the para-military organization (Kalangala Action Plan) which
was accused of harassing opposition parties during other
elections, has caused concern among the other candidates.
Museveni is rumored to be joining the campaign trail as he
did in other by-elections. Emboffs will return to Bugweri to
monitor the December 13 elections. End Comment.
CHRITTON