MPs, clerics launch campaign against vote bribery

By Francis Emorut                                        

KAMPALA - With only nine months left to the 2016 general elections, MPs and religious leaders have launched a campaign to discourage aspiring presidential candidates and legislators from bribing voters.

The campaign dubbed 'No Vote Buying-No Vote Selling' was launched in Kampala on Monday.

While many election hopefuls promise the electorate better services and leadership if elected into power, others have previously been reported to offer stuff like sachets of local gin, salt, soap and even cash to locals in exchange for votes.

And so the latest drive is trying to stop the latter practice from featuring in the upcoming polls.

Okoro county MP Stanley Omwonya pointed out that fighting vote bribery needs concerted efforts from the voters and the aspirants.

"The onus is upon all of us to educate the public not to accept money during and after the general elections," he said.

His fellow legislator Martin Drito (Madi-Okollo ) said fighting voter bribery/corruption should not be left to government alone.

"We need to engage government as a partner in the fight against corruption and we should not put government on the defensive.”
 

MPs put their signatures to this campaign-message poster. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

Meanwhile, Imam Ibrahim Kasozi, a lecturer at Makerere University, shared similar sentiments, underlining the need for voters to steer clear of any electoral bribery during the election period.

Religious leaders offered prayers during the launch of the campaign.

While Rev. Fr. Cyprian Masembe of the Archdiocese of Kampala said citizens should reject money that will be given by aspirants to forage for votes, retired Bishop Zac Niringiye called for national repentance to cleanse the country from monetization of politics.

A number of MPs made commitment by signing on a chart not to buy votes.

They included:  Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, Western Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga, Mbale Municipality MP Jack Wamai, MP Drito and MP Omwonya.

"We are urging leaders – both incumbent and aspiring – to commit not to buy votes,” said Richard Sewakiryanga, the executive director of the national NGO Forum.

“2016 is a pivotal year in many ways and we shall not allow money to determine who leads either at national or local level.”

From left, Rev. Fr. Cyprian Masembe, Imam Ibrahim Kasozi, retired Bishop Zac Niringiye were at the launch. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)
 

MP Gerald Karuhanga (extreme right, squatting) joins Makerere University students in emphasizing the campaign message. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)