The parliamentary by elections in Bukoto South in Lwengo, greater Masaka was characterised by electoral malpractice, intimidation, high deployment by the police and the military, arrest of opposition supporters and cadres and vote bribery among other irregularities. There was high voter turn up registered comparing to other by elections that has been taking place in Uganda since 2011.
Many members of parliament, LC III and LC5 councils and supporters of opposition Democratic Party were arrested and charged with a number of offences related to election violence. The opposition supporters the police arrested during the election exercise included Mariam Kaliga (Woman councilor Wakiso district), Vincent Kawere (LC III councilor Makindye), Betty Nambooze (MP Mukono Municipality), Moses Kasibante (MP Lubaga North), Elisa Mukasa (LC III chairman Goma in Mukono district), Christopher Mutumba (MP Betty Nambooze’s driver) and Entebbe Municipality MP Mohammad Kawuma.
The Police spokesman for Southern regional spokesperson Noah Serunjogi confirmed the arrested of the above people and said that over 50 people were arrested and charged. The Bukoto South race attracted four candidates Mathias Nsubuga (DP), Alintuma Nsambu of NRM, Julius Sentamu of FDC and Dan Katula (Independent).
