Youth condemn violence ahead of 2021 polls

POLITICS   2021 ELECTIONS

KAMPALA - A group of youth has embarked on a campaign to desist any form of electoral violence ahead of the 2021 Polls.

The youth under their organization Platform for youth inclusion in politics (PYIP) have rallied fellow youth, to denounce election violence by state and non-state actors and also to desist from engaging in any acts of violence in the upcoming elections.

"We should all use our demographic strength to peacefully participate in the next elections and make our voice sound," Job Kiija, the Director Innovation for democratic engagement and action said.

According to the youth, Uganda's democracy journey is marked with episodes of violent and political instability.

Since the promulgation of its constitution on October 8, 1995, Uganda has held successive national elections between the years 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, within the set constitutional timeframes.

With the current five-year term (2016-2021) coming to an end in May 2021, the country is set to hold general elections again, in February 2021, for new leaders.

"Since 2001, general elections in Uganda have ended in contestation and violence. There have been growing concerns about governments' commitment towards a transparent and accountable electoral framework," Noted the youth.

The youth called for dialogue between the police and political players to ensure a peaceful, free and fair electoral process.

They appealed to the Police authorities, to ensure that security personnel restrain themselves from the use of force while executing orders.

"Restrain your officers from the use of excessive force unnecessarily and respect the dignity of Ugandans," Kiija noted.

They also implored the electoral commission to consider harmonizing the electoral rules of scientific campaigns and implement them with the fairness they deserve.

NUP raid

The Youth also condemned the recent raid on the National Unity Platform (NUP) offices in Kampala, in search for military store.

According to the youth, the raid which lead to the arrest of the youth and destruction of property taints the image of the government that preaches democracy.

"The Ugly scene of the operation that resulted into chaos, skirmishes and disfranchisement of the members of NUP, created unnecessary excitement in the population and paints a negative image for a government that has over the years worked to consolidate a progressive democracy trajectory for Uganda," The youth said.

The youth called for the release of the youth and the tailors who were arrested during the raid on NUP and city center shops in search for military-like attire.

They said most of the youth including tailors were only trying to look for money for survival adding that the attack on their shops was uncalled for.

"The tailors were just on their jobs making ends meet, hence their arrest wasn't necessary because most of them were on commission and had to deliver," Lynnet Nanyonga, the chairperson Youth Platform said.

The youth noted that they had lined up a group of lawyers to help those arrested during the raid, access to justice.

On Friday, 44 supporters of NUP were remanded to Kitalya government prison on offences of unlawfully possessing and wearing uniforms similar to those exclusively gazetted for the military.