Youth delegates who have gathered at Laroo Boarding Primary school to elect the northern Uganda youth Member of Parliament turned violent as they demanded for their facilitation.
The youth threatened to destroy property at Laroo boarding Primary school if the returning officer did not pay them their facilitations.
Some of the enraged youth from Karamoja region complained of being given little money for their facilitation yet they come from far.
The youth claimed that officials were only paying them a part of their facilitation and retaining the balance.
“We are supposed to get Shs 300,000 but they are paying us only Shs 100,000. Why is this so? We have been here since Saturday. How do we live here in Gulu” one of the youth said.
The youth blamed their woes on the returning officer.
“We have been here since Saturday. What do they think we are eating? They should pay us the same money”, he said. The youth claimed delegates from the Acholi sub region were being paid more money. They demand that they should all be treated the same way.
Benson Obete the returning officer for Gulu district begged the youth to remain calm saying their money would be paid.
“Stay calm. Stay calm. Your money will be paid” pleaded Mr Obete.
Joyce Wadri the regional electoral officer called the youth leaders and told them that they will only be paid after the elections.
“How do we begin to pay you all before the elections? This is not possible. We shall pay you after elections are done.”
Police officers deployed at Laroo boarding primary school where the elections were taking place were not able to calm the situation.
Vote counting for the youth Member of Parliament is underway with Omony Oscar Otema (NRM) and Abdul George (an independent) are said to be the leading contenders. Oscar Omony Otema is the son of UPDF chief of logistics Brig Charles Otema Awany.
