Former Isingiro North parliamentary aspirant James Atwine on Monday staged a dramatic protest at the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) offices in Ntinda, Kampala, chaining himself to the main gate using metallic locks to contest what he called an unjust removal from the race.
Atwine claimed Uneb nullified and confiscated his academic documents during verification in what he alleged was a scheme to benefit his opponent Bright Rwamirama.
His action brought traffic around the UNEB offices to a halt as motorists and pedestrians gathered to watch.
Wearing a yellow shirt and a white vest bearing the phrase Justice delayed is justice denied, Atwine secured chains around his waist and arms as he vowed to fight what he described as fraud and abuse of process.
Security personnel at the Uneb gate appeared overwhelmed as the commotion forced staff to use the smaller gate to access the premises.
Atwine told reporters he was dissatisfied with the Electoral Commission’s decision to disqualify him after Uneb said he had forged the academic papers he used during nomination.
He said he had sought court intervention to compel Uneb to verify and return his documents, but instead the body went ahead to cancel them.
Shortly after the protest began, security operatives in special gear arrived with a metal cutter and broke the chains before placing Atwine into a police vehicle. He was later taken away for questioning.
Uneb officials declined to comment on the matter or provide clarity on the status of his academic documents.
Police confirmed Atwine’s arrest and said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
