UJCC asks security organs to stay non-partisan

By John Agaba

THE Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has stressed a need for a free and fair 2016 general elections, calling on all security forces, including Police, to keep non-partisan.

In particular, the UJCC, accredited by the Electoral Commission to observe the November 3 and 4 nominations of presidential candidates at Mandela National Stadium, called on Police to remain calm and to uphold human rights to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

In a report on the November 3 and 4 nominations of presidential candidates, the UJCC said it would like to appeal to the Police to investigate any reported incidents of election malpractice, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Swift action in dealing with such matters would reassure Ugandans of government’s commitment to the principle of free and fair elections, it said.

During the November 3 and 4 nominations, aspirants Amama Mbabazi, Baryamureeba Venansious and Kiiza Besigye were cleared to take on incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the February 18 polls.

Abed Bwanika of the People’s Development Party, Benon Biraro of the Farmers Party of Uganda and independents Joseph Mabirizi and Faith Irene Kyalya Walube were also cleared.

The EC declined to clear Bbale Charles Lwanga on grounds that the aspirant had not met all the nomination requirements. Bbale Charles Lwanga was turned away on two occasions, on November 3 and November 4.

The UJCC, in its report, described the nomination exercise as “largely successful”. It said the EC conducted the nomination exercise in a professional manner and with considerable decorum.

Incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to face stiff competition from longtime opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and former premier Amama Mbabazi in the February 2016 polls, much as Museveni has described the race as “no tight”.

The UJCC asked the media to continue playing a fair role, to be bold and objective, including exposing incidents of electoral malpractice.

“We would also like to call upon all candidates, candidates’ agents and all other stakeholders to render all the necessary cooperation to the EC so that we can have free, fair and peaceful elections. There is need to enact a code of conduct for Political parties and Organizations urgently to address the rampant incidences of electoral malpractices,” said the report from UJCC.

It called on the EC to expedite the process of accrediting individuals, groups and institutions that have applied to serve as election observers. Any further delay in dealing with the issue of accreditation would raise unnecessary speculations at a time when all stakeholders should be working hand in hand to ensure that the 2015/2016 presidential, parliamentary and local governments’ elections are conducted freely and fairly, it said.

Relatedly, anti-corruption activists Action Aid last week Tuesday launched a “no to vote buying, vote selling” campaign, as campaigns towards the 2016 general presidential polls entered a new frenzy.