With barely two weeks to polling day, The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, has asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to meet with leaders of all political parties to agree on lifting a ban on campaign meetings in districts recently backlisted by the EC as high-risk zones for covid-19 infections.
In his end-of-year message, Dr Kazimba says religious leaders are available to help mediate a diplomatic solution to ensure equal opportunity for all candidates to be able to campaign in harmony.
The Electoral Commission (EC) chairman Justice Simon Byabakama last week suspended campaign meetings in 12 districts and cities in the country on account of being considered to be registering high spread of the virus. The directive was to start on December 26, 2020 until further notice.
“This is an urgent matter and we call on the Electoral Commission to organize a meeting by the end of this week. We expect a solution that will be mutually acceptable to all candidates and public health officials” Dr Kazimba said.
The Anglican Archbishop also advised security organs in the country to treat Ugandans respectfully, regardless of their political affiliation.
“They (Ugandans) are made in the image of God and do not deserve to be treated violently. One day you will stand before God to give an account of how you treated your fellow Ugandans. Do you fear God? Please do your job as if you fear God” Dr Kazimba stated. He also asked security organs not to enforce COVID-19 SOPs selectively.
“We know you have become a well-trained proffessional force that has grown in discipline now; we ask you to prove it to us. we expect you to show all Ugadans that you are disciplined and will not be provoked to use violence towards your fellow citizens including journalists” Kazimba said.
Kazimba however urged candidates participating in political campaigns to organize the remaining period of campaigning in a way that limits crowds to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic.