Opposition rule out use of violence
Feb 25, 2011
THE Police has urged the public to reject the protest call by the opposition saying such action was unnecessary.
By Milton Olupot
THE Police has urged the public to reject the protest call by the opposition saying such action was unnecessary.
Judith Nabakooba, the Force’s spokesperson, said they had not received any statement from the opposition calling for a demonstration. She said these protests are uncalled for especially at this time when there are security threats from terrorists.
The opposition political parties whose candidates were defeated in the just-concluded presidential elections yesterday called on Ugandans to protest the outcome of the presidential elections.
They, however, said they would not resort to violence as a means of changing government although they are dissatisfied with the outcome of the polls.
Nabakooba added added that much as the agitators say it is their right, they should also consider other people’s rights. “National security takes precedence. The time is not ripe for these demonstrations.â€
The opposition yesterday unanimously rejected the results, where the incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni, garnered 68.3%, with his closest rival Col. Kizza Besigye only managing 26%. The other six parties could hardly get 5%.
“The time is now for the people of Uganda to rise and peacefully protest against the outcome of the 2011 elections,†a statement issued jointly by the candidates and read by Forum for Democratic Change chief Col. Kizza Besigye said, during a joint press briefing at sharing Hall Nsambya.
“We are determined to use constitutional means to advance democracy. The only means that is allowed by the Constitution and which is peaceful enough to challenge the results of this sham election is for the people to assert their sovereign power,†Besigye said.
“We are not asking anybody to put their life on the line to bring anybody to power, but to stand up and demand for a free and fair election,†he added.
“The electoral exercise has been a sham. We categorically reject the results of this scandalous process and will not recognise any government formed out of these elections. The election was characterised by widespread bribery by the NRM party using public funds.
The polls, the statements said, was characterised by, “intimidation and threats of violence using security forces, pre-ticking and ballot stuffing, multiple voting, ghost polling stations, disenfranchisement of voters, arrests and obstruction of opposition polling agents.â€
Uganda People’s Congress leader Olara Otunnu, Conservative party chief Ken Lukyamuzi, Samuel Lubega (independent), People’s Development Party president Abed Bwanika, and Democratic Party secretary general Mathias Nsubuga attended the press conference.
The parties demanded that fresh, free and fair elections be organised under an independent, competent and representative Electoral Commission formed through criteria agreed by all stakeholders.
The parties also demand that no ‘further fraudulent local government elections be conducted by the existing partisan Electoral Commission’
The opposition also demanded that a clean voters register be compiled, a uniform method of voter identification be established and that the army be withdrawn from providing security during elections.
THE Police has urged the public to reject the protest call by the opposition saying such action was unnecessary.
Judith Nabakooba, the Force’s spokesperson, said they had not received any statement from the opposition calling for a demonstration. She said these protests are uncalled for especially at this time when there are security threats from terrorists.
The opposition political parties whose candidates were defeated in the just-concluded presidential elections yesterday called on Ugandans to protest the outcome of the presidential elections.
They, however, said they would not resort to violence as a means of changing government although they are dissatisfied with the outcome of the polls.
Nabakooba added added that much as the agitators say it is their right, they should also consider other people’s rights. “National security takes precedence. The time is not ripe for these demonstrations.â€
The opposition yesterday unanimously rejected the results, where the incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni, garnered 68.3%, with his closest rival Col. Kizza Besigye only managing 26%. The other six parties could hardly get 5%.
“The time is now for the people of Uganda to rise and peacefully protest against the outcome of the 2011 elections,†a statement issued jointly by the candidates and read by Forum for Democratic Change chief Col. Kizza Besigye said, during a joint press briefing at sharing Hall Nsambya.
“We are determined to use constitutional means to advance democracy. The only means that is allowed by the Constitution and which is peaceful enough to challenge the results of this sham election is for the people to assert their sovereign power,†Besigye said.
“We are not asking anybody to put their life on the line to bring anybody to power, but to stand up and demand for a free and fair election,†he added.
“The electoral exercise has been a sham. We categorically reject the results of this scandalous process and will not recognise any government formed out of these elections. The election was characterised by widespread bribery by the NRM party using public funds.
The polls, the statements said, was characterised by, “intimidation and threats of violence using security forces, pre-ticking and ballot stuffing, multiple voting, ghost polling stations, disenfranchisement of voters, arrests and obstruction of opposition polling agents.â€
Uganda People’s Congress leader Olara Otunnu, Conservative party chief Ken Lukyamuzi, Samuel Lubega (independent), People’s Development Party president Abed Bwanika, and Democratic Party secretary general Mathias Nsubuga attended the press conference.
The parties demanded that fresh, free and fair elections be organised under an independent, competent and representative Electoral Commission formed through criteria agreed by all stakeholders.
The parties also demand that no ‘further fraudulent local government elections be conducted by the existing partisan Electoral Commission’
The opposition also demanded that a clean voters register be compiled, a uniform method of voter identification be established and that the army be withdrawn from providing security during elections.