MICHAEL N
Police constables in Ntungamo District who were recruited to guard elections staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday to express their dissatisfaction over what they describe as unpaid wages by the Electoral Commission.
The constables say they were contracted to work for three months during the election period but claim they have only been paid for two months. According to some of the demonstrators, they were later required to return the uniforms they had been using, leaving them without payment for the remaining month.
Some of the constables expressed concern that despite government efforts to encourage youth employment, they have not been paid for the work they carried out during the elections. They argue that the unpaid salary has left many of them financially strained.
Others noted that they had hoped to use the earnings from the election work to continue their education in higher learning institutions. They said they carried out their duties with dedication, believing that they would receive the agreed payments afterward.
The demonstrators also alleged that several constables have not received any payment at all, including allowances that were expected on every election day. They further claimed that the promised UGX 75,000 allowance for each voting day was never paid.
Efforts to seek clarification from the Ntungamo Electoral Commission Returning Officer reportedly did not yield any response, according to the constables.
The group began their peaceful demonstration walk from Kyamate Playground and marched toward the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to present their concerns.
However, upon reaching the area, police officers from Ntungamo Central Police Station intervened to disperse the demonstrators. During the intervention, officers reportedly fired bullets into the air, beat some of the protesters, and arrested more than 20 of the constables, while others fled the scene.
