Haddad Salim, the Arua Central Division National Unity Platform-NUP parliamentary candidate is feared kidnapped.
Haddad was reportedly picked up unknown plain-clothed men from his residence in Lumumba Cell behind Arua Public primary school at midnight on Sunday. His campaign manager, Saddam Hussein Abale, says that he dropped the candidate at his home only to wake up to the news of his disappearance after waiting for him at their campaign offices in vain.
According to Saddam, plain-clothed men stormed Hadad’s residency two weeks ago and ordered him to come out but he was stopped by his family and neighbours. He also claimed that some people from the NRM camp approached Hadad and asked him to abandon his candidature in exchange for money in vain. The NUP camp has given security 48 hours to produce least they take to the streets.
Abdulrashid Guma, the coordinator of Hadad’s campaigns in Mvara Ward told URN that they would continue with spreading the message of his disappearance and campaign.
Hadad’s supporters and relatives told URN on Monday evening that they had engaged the police on his whereabouts but they denied playing a role in his disappearance. Lauben Ndifula, the West Nile UPDF Spokesperson also told URN that he wasn’t aware of the candidate’s disappearance, saying its news to him.
Hadad is a professional lawyer and an advocate of the High Court in Arua. He was
arrested together with six other NUP candidates and supporters in Arua for protesting
against the arrest of their presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, which sparked countrywide protests.
He later managed to secure bail for his colleagues who had been remanded to Koboko government prison. Hadad Salim is running against the incumbent Arua Municipality MP and Alliance for National Transformation-ANT candidate, Kassiano Wadri, NRM’s Jackson Atima, FDC’s Ronald Adomati, JEMA’s Habib Asega and DP’s Lemeriga Fadhil.
