Govt stops campaigns

* Wait, Ali orders presidential aspirants By Grace Matsiko THE Government has banned campaigns by presidential aspirants until they are nominated. Second deputy prime minister and minister for internal affairs Brig. Moses Ali said in a statement last evening that the Police had been directed to ensure law and order and to deal with whoever violates the law. There has been a series of campaign meetings by the aspirants before the official declaration by the Electoral Commission. Three out of eight aspirants have launched their presidential campaign for the polls set for next year. Dr. Col (rtd) Kiiza Besigye, Samia Bugwe north MP Aggrey Awori and former Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala have launched their bids. The other aspirants are Kibirige Mayanja of Justice Forum, Nelson Ocheger of Action Party and Chaapa Karuhanga of the Democrats Forum. Moses Ali said, "While every Ugandan citizen has the constitutional right to declare his or her intention to stand for any leadership position, campaigning is regulated by law." "No one is permitted to campaign before he or she is nominated," he said. "All those concerned are therefore advised to desist from indulging in unlawful activities," the minister added. But Besigye's campaign coordinator, Louis Otika, said Ali's statement tantamounted to intimidation by the Government and was part of the attempt to rig the polls. He said Besigye was only carrying out consultations. Lawyer Jacob Oulanyah, who acted as master of ceremony when Awori returned from abroad on Thursday, said the Government move was high-handed. "In whose interest are they doing that and whom are they trying to protect?" he asked. "The incumbent (Museveni) was in Busia why is he doing that? Isn't he campaigning? We are in campaign period and the law should apply across the board." Oulanyah said none of the candidates had started campaigning. Ends.