CSOs condemn election violence

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have condemned the ongoing election violence in the country.

The organizations under their umbrella body Uganda National NGO Forum contend that the year 2015 and the start of 2016 have been dominated by acts of violence at rallies, violence at party primary elections, voter bribery and several incidents of brutality.

"For our elections to start looking like a do-or die affair is an extreme act of constitutional abuse and relegation of the rule of law. The time is now for all of us to reject violence and stand up for peaceful elections," said Richard Sewakiryanga the executive director NGO forum.

Sewakiryanga said Ugandans should reflect on the past years and must recommit themselves to work towards building a strong democracy in a peaceful and prosperous Uganda.

Sewakiryanga while addressing journalists at Kabalagala on Monday, applauded government for the appointment of a substantive chief justice, passing of a new NGO Act, hosting of Pope Francis, issuance of the national Identity cards and revision of the national development plan.

He however said that although there was consensus in the campaign for free and fair elections, electoral democracy is still under stress.

"Perceptions around vote rigging are enduring concerns in all elections right from 1961," he said.

He observed that for over fifty years, Uganda as a country has failed to manage transition of all forms.

"As CSOs, we condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing instances of violence in elections.

We want to urge all parties to ensure that they discourage violence, disband vigilante groups and promote the exercise of peaceful elections, "he said.

He urged all presidential candidates to condemn this violence in both actions and words and not point accusing fingers but create avenues of dialogue.

He also challenged civil servants to stick to the standing orders and ensure that they do not play any active role in the elections.

"Instances where civil servants stand on podiums at elections rallies or act as tour guides for presidential candidates in facilities making partisan directives and comments should be avoided," he said.

Martin Mwondah from the Citizen Election Observer Network Uganda noted that there are increasing reports of bribery, and indiscretions by crime preventers.

Muhammed Ndifuna the executive director Human Rights Network said the mushrooming vigilante groups who are not regularized are playing a role in violence.

"We have also seen security actors like the police and the UPDF playing the same role, "he said.

Crispy Kaheru the coordinator Citizen's Coalition for Electoral Democracy CCEDU) called for self-regulation of the candidates on the language they use.

"The language being used currently is a language of threat; intimidation, hate, intolerance, and division meaning they are threatening people from voting yet elections should not be a do or die affair, "he said.

Margaret Sekajja the executive director Human Rights Centre Uganda said the situation calls for the respect of the rule of law.

"The courts of law, police and judiciary should ensure that there is impartiality in the way they do their work.

"Refrain from using provocative language and also allow the media to play its part, "she added.

The executive director of the Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Association of Uganda (DENIVA) Justus Lugambwa called on the church to come out strongly to inform the public of what is next on the presidential debate.

"This debate is extremely important to our country, because it shows that our violent minds that have destroyed the country in the past have been pushed aside and our leaders can stand one against another and debate in front of the public, "he observed.

"If a leader cannot debate on the vision and promises they have made, how sure are we that they can lead us," he added.

He noted that if one or two presidential candidates refuse to turn up and the church keeps quite it will mean that their powers as negotiators of peace have been undermined requiring them to take immediate action.