UPC National Chairman Lawrence Okae. Courtesy photo

UPC tells stakeholders “Uganda needs peaceful campaigns”

(Last Updated On: 26 November 2020)

Lawrence Okae: “With our political system changing from movement political system to multi-party political system, it is incumbent upon us as a country to usher in a political landscape that accepts diverse views.”

Kampala—26, November 2020: So far 50 people have died, dozens hospitalised and hundreds arrested following violent protests in Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja and other districts last week.

The violent incidences emerged following brutal arrests of opposition presidential candidates: Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform (NUP) and Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party.

Whereas the two presidential candidates were arrested for “violating Covid-19 rules (SOPs)” as stated by Police, their supporters, especially those of Bobi Wine, clashed with joint security forces “countrywide”.

The Wednesday and Thursday (last week) deadly riot initiated “wider debates” on the relevance of 2021 general elections. It has attracted both domestic and international concerns—with some calling for actions against “individual security officers” and a retraction of “police can shoot and kill protestors in self-defence” statement by Gen Elly Tumwine, Uganda’s security minister.

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On Wednesday, 25, November 2020, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party during its weekly press briefing recalled the events.

“Last week, several events occurred that drew fear, anxiety and a state of restless in Capital City, Kampala and a few other areas across the country which ended up in violent political riots and exposing our people to various vagaries including; loss of lives, grave injuries and lost properties! Many have been arrested, prosecuted in courts of law and others still detained!” UPC’s national chairman, Mr Lawrence Okae said.

He added that “with our political system changing from movement political system to multi-party political system, it is incumbent upon us as a country to usher in a political landscape that accepts diverse views”.

“This once practised in our day to day lives, then the multi-party system shall get entrenched.”

Mr Okae says Uganda is now realizing peace after a long spell of rebellions here and there, and it is upon us the citizens to ensure each of us is his or her brother’s keeper!

“UPC is calling upon all stakeholders of 2021 elections to desist from any actions that can escalate the situation into a violent one. We need to have a peaceful electoral process and be in the position to holistically perform the noble duty of delivering a peaceful election to the foreheads of the citizenry,” he added.

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