Let’s adhere to EC guidelines

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OPINION

By Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye

Last Thursday, on August 28, the 1st meeting of the 4th National Conference was concluded at the Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

The conference, among other resolutions, reaffirmed Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Museveni as the NRM national chairman and presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections in light of his outstanding and successful performance, such as spearheading the 17-fold growth of Uganda’s economy since 1986.

To the cheerfulness of the NRM delegates, President Museveni accepted the responsibility bestowed upon him by the conference and in his speech, he underscored the issue of wealth creation at the household level.

In reference to the promising Parish Development Model (PDM), he beseeched Ugandans, especially leaders: “Every home must have some wealth

Leaders should ensure that people get their share (of PDM) without deductions and use it properly so they can pay it back and benefit again.”

The President’s objective is to achieve a transition of the majority of Ugandans from subsistence living to income-generating activities, especially through commercial agriculture.

Besides reaffirming President Museveni as the party national chairman and presidential flag bearer, the conference also resolved to focus on peace and stability in Uganda, East Africa and the wider continent while promoting a people-centred development agenda that emphasises wealth creation, Information Communication Technology (ICT) for job opportunities, market access, and industrialisation.

Now that the NRM has concluded both the nomination of its flag bearers for the various electoral positions in the country, including the nomination of its presidential flag bearer, the party is now well prepared to participate in the fifth stage of the national election cycle.

According to the Electoral Commission, the fifth stage of the election cycle is the nomination of candidates for the various positions in the country.

The complete election cycle comprises registration of voters, general update of the voters’ register, voter education, display of the national voters’ register, nomination of candidates, campaign meetings, polling day, and declaration of results.

In light of our political history, especially under the NRM administration, the political opponents of NRM tend to resort to unbecoming behaviour and other forms of violence during the last four stages of the election cycle (nomination of candidates, campaign meetings, polling day, and declaration of results). Their violence at those stages has left scores of NRM members and supporters, especially the elderly, disenfranchised. Out of fear to avoid being harmed by the errant opposition supporters, the NRM members and supporters opt to stay at home on polling day. This is really bad not only for NRM as a party, but also for our country’s democracy.

Nobody has the right to disenfranchise fellow Ugandans. Our Constitution is very clear that every Ugandan who has attained the age of 18 is an eligible voter.

Since the Constitution grants that right, we should not allow intimidation or violence by some political actors to take away this right from Ugandans.

The clarion call to Ugandans is to ensure that we have the remaining four stages in our election cycle peaceful and orderly.

Let us follow the guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission at all stages.

For the nomination of candidates, the Electoral Commission, in conjunction with the Uganda Police, will issue guidelines on the exercise. The police are very crucial at this stage because the observance of law and order rests upon their shoulders.

We should again respect the guidelines of the Electoral Commission and the Police at the stage of campaign meetings, polling day, and declaration of results.

If we adhere to the election guidelines, we shall have peaceful elections.

The writer is a senior presidential adviser, political affairs, Office of the National Chairperson/national coordinator Bazzukulu