Clerics decry violence in NRM primaries

RLIGION|ELECTIONS|POLITICS

KAMPALA - Religious leaders have condemned the violence that was exhibited in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primary elections, saying it was a cause for worry ahead of the 2021 general election.

Religious leaders, who were on a three-day retreat at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo in Wakiso district, said they were concerned about the current political environment.

The Mufti of Uganda and chairperson of Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje, said the cases of violence during the NRM primaries "are a testimony that we are falling short of the public's expectations of free, transparent and credible elections".

"We, too, look at political leaders to be examples for the people they lead," he said.

The retreat, organised by the Inspectorate of Government in conjunction with IRCU, was officially opened by the state minister for ethics and integrity, Fr Simon Lokodo.

Present were Bishop Joshua Lwere, the overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda; Archbishop Dr Stephen Kaziimba, Archbishop Emeritus Luke Orombi, Pastor Joseph Sserwadda and Deputy Inspector General of Government George Bamugemereire, among others.

The theme of the day was Enhancing Voice and Action on Integrity and Ethical Conduct for Religious Leaders in Uganda.

Mubajje said religious leaders fear that what happened during the NRM primaries could be "the tip of the iceberg of what will happen in the coming elections".

"We are concerned about the loss of life, corruption, bribery, intimidation and manipulation, as recently witnessed during this election," he said.

He called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take lessons and guard against what transpired during the NRM primaries.

Mubajje added that they were worried that the COVID-19 safety guidelines put in place by the health ministry were not followed, especially where participants got involved in fights or gathered in crowds to show support for their candidates.

He appealed to all citizens to tolerate each other and maintain peace at all times.

"The worst part was bribery of voters, alteration of results and announcing of losers as winners, which is an indication of corruption," he said, adding that many people who opposed the "injustices" sustained injuries.

"What we saw in the NRM primaries should be an eyeopener for the EC so that it does not re-occur during the general election," he said.

Fr Lokodo said various approaches have been used at different levels to curb corruption but with little progress.

The head of State House's AntiCorruption Unit, Lt Col Edith Nakalema, recently said Uganda loses sh2 trillion per year to graft.

"I have refused to accept that corruption is consequential from poverty, poor remuneration and lack of resources, among others. But, the reason why corruption is here, is simply because we have lost our conscience, because of moral decadence," Lokodo said.

Bamugemereire said they recognise the fact that the fight against corruption could not be won by a single institution or by the Government alone.

"The fight will only be a success if citizens participate. The group here (clerics) has an opportunity of interacting with over 20 million Ugandans every week. We take this interaction very seriously because we see you as leaders of change," he said.