Bukedea RDC, DPC & GISO Remanded over Election Violence

The Bukedea Magistrate Court has remanded Bukedea Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Wilberforce Tukei, and the District Police Commander (DPC), Charles Okoto, to prison till July 26.

The two were Monday arraigned before court on charges of neglect to prevent a felony.

The duo’s arrest and consequent charge follows investigations into unlawful and criminal acts that took place during the Bukedea district LCV chairperson by-election.

Early this month, President Yoweri Museveni directed the State House Anti-corruption Unit headed by Brig Gen Henry Isoke to investigate allegations of voter bribery, vote rigging and other criminal acts that happened during the election.

The president’s directive also stemmed from reports that one of the aspirants, David Steven Omagor, was attacked by a group of goons as he approached the Electoral Commission (EC) offices for nomination.

The victim was badly beaten, his clothes torn and robbed of his nomination documents and a significant amount of money.

Meanwhile, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) of Bukedea, Oluka Muhamoud, has also been charged for his involvement in mobilizing goons.

Oluka along with councilor Malinga Dan, who was previously charged, are alleged to have led an attack on aspirant Omagor.

It is said that the attack happened in the presence of police deployed by the DPC but no action was taken to apprehend the attackers or investigate the incident.

“The attack on aspirant Omagor Stephen was not only brutal but also resulted in the robbery of his nomination documents and a significant amount of money. He has been remanded till 26/07/2023,” a statement from the State House Anti-corruption Unit read.

The RDC and DPC were remanded to Soroti prison, while Mohamoud Oluka was remanded to Bukedea prison until July 26, 2023.

So far, nine people have been arrested in relation to the Bukedea by-election violence.