Odoki cautions on elections
Aug 10, 2008
THE Electoral Commission (EC) should ensure that polls are transparent to avoid conflicts among political parties, the Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, has said.
By Herbert Ssempogo
THE Electoral Commission (EC) should ensure that polls are transparent to avoid conflicts among political parties, the Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, has said.
“Fortunately, the commission chairman has told me that they are ready for the task,†Odoki said after a brief discussion with the EC boss, Badru Kiggundu, yesterday.
The Chief Justice was speaking at the handover of the Always Be Tolerant (ABETO) peace award to Kenya’s High Commissioner Japheth Gitugi.
The function took place at Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday.
Odoki said if elections were well planned, post-election violence, as was the case in Kenya last year, would be avoided.
“They have to ensure that there are enabling laws to guide the election,†he explained.
Odoki, however, pointed out that ensuring peaceful elections was the responsibility of every Ugandan regardless of race, ethnicity or religious inclination.
“The commission has no control over all the players. Some events that occur during an election are beyond its control,†he said.
Odoki said conflicts in any society are inevitable but they have to be solved amicably whenever they occur. “Every Ugandan has a role to play in the process of eliminating all sorts of conflict,†he stated.
Gitugi, who has been involved in talks to end the over 20-year rebellion in northern Uganda, is the sixth diplomat to receive the award.
He also received the ABETO peace flag.
Gitugi hailed the Government for initiating the talks with the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
He cautioned that the talks might be derailed if there is lack of commitment.
He also appealed to Joseph Kony, the LRA leader, to sign the final peace agreement.
ABETO chief Moses Musana observed that peace was vital if social-economic development was to be attained in Uganda.
Likening Uganda to a family, he demanded that there be tolerance of divergent views.
THE Electoral Commission (EC) should ensure that polls are transparent to avoid conflicts among political parties, the Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, has said.
“Fortunately, the commission chairman has told me that they are ready for the task,†Odoki said after a brief discussion with the EC boss, Badru Kiggundu, yesterday.
The Chief Justice was speaking at the handover of the Always Be Tolerant (ABETO) peace award to Kenya’s High Commissioner Japheth Gitugi.
The function took place at Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday.
Odoki said if elections were well planned, post-election violence, as was the case in Kenya last year, would be avoided.
“They have to ensure that there are enabling laws to guide the election,†he explained.
Odoki, however, pointed out that ensuring peaceful elections was the responsibility of every Ugandan regardless of race, ethnicity or religious inclination.
“The commission has no control over all the players. Some events that occur during an election are beyond its control,†he said.
Odoki said conflicts in any society are inevitable but they have to be solved amicably whenever they occur. “Every Ugandan has a role to play in the process of eliminating all sorts of conflict,†he stated.
Gitugi, who has been involved in talks to end the over 20-year rebellion in northern Uganda, is the sixth diplomat to receive the award.
He also received the ABETO peace flag.
Gitugi hailed the Government for initiating the talks with the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
He cautioned that the talks might be derailed if there is lack of commitment.
He also appealed to Joseph Kony, the LRA leader, to sign the final peace agreement.
ABETO chief Moses Musana observed that peace was vital if social-economic development was to be attained in Uganda.
Likening Uganda to a family, he demanded that there be tolerance of divergent views.