Sudanese urged to register for the referendum
Nov 26, 2010
SOUTH Sudanese living in Uganda have been urged to register for the January 9, 2011 referendum on the autonomy of South Sudan.
By Josephine Maseruka
SOUTH Sudanese living in Uganda have been urged to register for the January 9, 2011 referendum on the autonomy of South Sudan.
Rev. Michael Saki, the South Sudanese referendum Commission representative, yesterday said they were committed to ensuring that the referendum is “free, fair and credible.â€
Addressing a press conference at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, Saki said: “I appeal to all South Sudanese in Uganda to turn up and register so that you confirm the unity of Sudan or to secede.â€
He explained that the registration, which started on November 15, was going on smoothly. Registration ends on December 1.
He revealed that there are seven referendum centres and sub -centres in Uganda, among them at Katwe on plot 936, on Gaming International building and in Bweyogerere, a Kampala suburb, on plot 267 at Mamerito Hotel near Mandela stadium.
In Arua there are three centres on Mango and Rhino camp roads and on plot 17 Garden square.
The sub-centres in Arua are at Ocka skills training centre, Rhino settlement and at Imvepi Settlement Secondary School.
In Adjumani, Moyo, Masindi and Hoima districts, the sub-centres are in refugee camps.
Like in Uganda, out of country registration and voting will be held in seven other countries, where about one million South Sudanese are in exile and refugee camps.
They include Australia, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, United Kingdom and the United States.
The eight countries were selected basing on the population density of the South Sudanese living there.
Saki explained that the people who were opposed to registering at the Sudanese embassy in Uganda were mainly those who would be in South Sudan at the time of the referendum.
“We advised them to register in Southern Sudan,†he said.
Saki noted that the group includes students who would be in Southern Sudan for Christmas holidays at the time of the referendum.
On allegations that some business people are trying to campaign against the referendum, Saki said they were still investigating the matter.
“If proven to be true, they will be dealt with accordingly,†he said.
Saki was non-committal on the number of Southern Sudanese in Uganda, saying most were leaving to register at home.
SOUTH Sudanese living in Uganda have been urged to register for the January 9, 2011 referendum on the autonomy of South Sudan.
Rev. Michael Saki, the South Sudanese referendum Commission representative, yesterday said they were committed to ensuring that the referendum is “free, fair and credible.â€
Addressing a press conference at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, Saki said: “I appeal to all South Sudanese in Uganda to turn up and register so that you confirm the unity of Sudan or to secede.â€
He explained that the registration, which started on November 15, was going on smoothly. Registration ends on December 1.
He revealed that there are seven referendum centres and sub -centres in Uganda, among them at Katwe on plot 936, on Gaming International building and in Bweyogerere, a Kampala suburb, on plot 267 at Mamerito Hotel near Mandela stadium.
In Arua there are three centres on Mango and Rhino camp roads and on plot 17 Garden square.
The sub-centres in Arua are at Ocka skills training centre, Rhino settlement and at Imvepi Settlement Secondary School.
In Adjumani, Moyo, Masindi and Hoima districts, the sub-centres are in refugee camps.
Like in Uganda, out of country registration and voting will be held in seven other countries, where about one million South Sudanese are in exile and refugee camps.
They include Australia, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, United Kingdom and the United States.
The eight countries were selected basing on the population density of the South Sudanese living there.
Saki explained that the people who were opposed to registering at the Sudanese embassy in Uganda were mainly those who would be in South Sudan at the time of the referendum.
“We advised them to register in Southern Sudan,†he said.
Saki noted that the group includes students who would be in Southern Sudan for Christmas holidays at the time of the referendum.
On allegations that some business people are trying to campaign against the referendum, Saki said they were still investigating the matter.
“If proven to be true, they will be dealt with accordingly,†he said.
Saki was non-committal on the number of Southern Sudanese in Uganda, saying most were leaving to register at home.