FDC asks EC to apply the law equally

ELECTION WATCH | FDC | EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) has been asked to enforce the campaign guidelines equally among all presidential and other candidates.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party said the process seems to have been taken over by the police and security organs.

The party's secretary general, Nandala Mafabi, said the ongoing brutality on the opposition presidential candidates is a clear indication that the EC is no longer in charge.

"EC has lost power and left everything to security forces. The police should be seeking guidance from the EC. But police is arresting candidates when the EC is just there looking on without saying anything," he said.

He stressed that recently their candidate, Patrick Amuriat Oboi was blocked by police from speaking on radios in Agago and Gulu for no reason.

"We agreed to hold scientific campaigns with mini rallies and radio campaigns, however, they keep blocking the opposition, why?" he wondered.

Mafabi said even the state media Uganda Broadcasting Cooperation (UBC) continues to deny opposition candidates space which is against the law.

The party's spokesperson, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, said police should stop enforcing the law discriminately.

The party also condemned the ongoing public violence in different parts of the country, which has led to the loss of lives and destruction property.

This follows riots which started on Wednesday (November 18, 2020) following the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) party flag bearer, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu.

"We express our condolences to those who have lost their love ones. It is really so unfortunate to see innocent and unarmed people being shot by those who are supposed to protect them. I think this is not right and it should be condemned," he added.

While addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala on Wednesday, Biriggwa stressed that police needs to act professional to ensure Ugandans are safe.

He condemned the manner in which their presidential candidate, Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Kyagulanyi (NUP) were arrested, saying it was uncalled for.

"You see every time a candidate is going in an area and people get to know about it, they will always gather along the road to see and hear from them. As candidates, they cannot just bypass them without waving or saying word," he added.

Biriggwa noted that people only vote after hearing from the various candidates to make a choice.