NRM pledges to obey EC ban on campaigns

ELECTIONS 2021

The NRM party has said they are willing to abide by the Electoral Commission's directive to suspend all campaign meetings in 12 districts and cities across the country.  

EC Chairman Justices Simon Byabakama Mugenyi  on Saturday suspended all campaign meetings in Kampala, Mbarara, Kabarole, Luweero, Kasese, Masaka, Wakiso, Kabarole, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo, Kiruhura, Mukono and Tororo.

 According to Justice Byabakama, the EC held a meeting with the Ministry of Health which expressed concern that mass gatherings organised by political candidates were enhancing the fast spread of the Coronavirus in Uganda. The EC notes that they have held several engagements with different candidates but they remained defiant, leaving the commission with only the option of banning meetings. 

"Following a meeting with the Ministry of Health experts on Wednesday 23rd December, 2020, where they expressed great concern over the manner political actors/candidates and their supporters were conducting themselves during campaigns, coupled with an upsurge in transmission of the virus and resultant deaths, the Commission has deemed it necessary to suspend campaign meetings of all categories of elections for the 2020/2021 General Elections in specified districts/cities," a statement signed by Justice Byabakama reads in part. 

It adds: "According to the said health experts, the transmission of  COVID-19 is being exacerbated by mass gatherings."

Justice Byabakama advised that candidates restrict themselves to virtual campaigns - radios, televisions, social media, community-based Public Address Systems (kizindaalo) and other online platforms.

While addressing journalists on Sunday at the party headquarters, NRM Secretary General, Justine Kasule Lumumba said the party presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni,  being the law-abiding citizen he is, will abide by the EC directive to the letter.  

She, however, appealed to the EC to schedule a meeting with all stakeholders and come out with clear guidelines to all parties which will guide them in how to conduct campaigns in the stated areas. Mr Museveni has held scientific campaign meetings with NRM party leaders in all districts except in Kampala, Wakiso and greater Mukono where he was meant to campaign beginning tomorrow, Monday December 28. 

Lumumba asked all NRM leaders and supporters at all levels to intensify all village-to-village and door-to-door campaigns since this is the only available alternative.  

She also called upon the regulators, Uganda Communications Commission and the public broadcaster, UBC, to follow the Supreme Court ruling of 2016 which demanded that all presidential candidates be given equal airtime while campaigning.