The Bugiri Municipality election continues to be the hottest contested election and as a result some camps have resorted to all methods to ensure victory for their candidates.
Earlier today, Bukooli Central Member of Parliament Solomon Silwanyi was allegedly found distributing cash handouts to voters at Butambula central polling station.
After noticing that some voters were lining up to share the cash, vigilant Ugandans swung into action and started beating up Mr Silwany.
The MP who is the deputy spokesperson of the NRM caucus tried to fight back but he was overpowered and he scattered for his life.
When journalists attempted to capture what was happening on camera, Mr Silwanyi reached to a can of pepper spray which he used to stop them.
Two journalists belonging to Nation Media Group were reportedly hurt during the melee.
At the moment, this reporter can’t tell where Mr Swilwany is after a police pickup truck rescued him from the angry voters and drove off to an unknown destination.
This comes at time the Electoral Commission suspended Citizen’s Coalition for Electoral Democracy (CCEDU) from observing elections.
CCEDU is an organisation that advocates for the value of integrity in the Ugandan electoral process by promoting a social and political system that enhances fair, equitable and transparent electoral processes.
Bugiri is among seven new Municipalities that are electing Members of Parliament and Mayors among others. The other Municipalities are; Buikwe, Njeru, Nebbi, Kotido, Shema and Apac.
Bugiri and Sheema have attracted national attention because of those involved. Minister Elioda Tumwesigye is particularly running for the Sheema MP seat despite having a slot in Parliament.
Bugiri is hotly contested by JEEMA president Asuman Basalirwa who is tussling it out with FDC’s Eunice Namatende and NRM’s John Francis Oketcho.