Kadaga: Election Shouldn’t Divide Us
Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has expressed displeasure over the current political situation and called on all stakeholders to embrace unity.
Kadaga in her communication from the chair during a special plenary sitting on Thursday said violence should not be condoned in politics.
“I wish to register and express my innermost sadness at events happening countrywide as a result of ongoing campaigns. Such events should not be condoned in society,” said Kadaga.
Demonstrations erupted in Kampala and other cities on Wednesday after the arrest of National Unity platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi from Luuka district and subsequent detention at Nalufenya police station. Up 30 people have reportedly died from the violence.
Speaker Kadaga appealed to political leaders and candidates to preach tolerance and restraint and avoid violent situations.
“I therefore call upon all candidates to appeal to their supporters, to exercise restraint from indulging in detestable activities, which may result in the loss of lives and property as well as livelihoods,” said Kadaga.
She also asked police and the army to act responsibly and follow the law in the execution of their constitutional mandates.
“Special appeal is hereby made to the various security agencies and operatives to execute their duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the various legal regimes establishing them, while at the same time exercising restraint from violating human rights,” said Kadaga.
She urged the Electoral Commission to take charge and sensitize the population in order to prevent violence.
“I wish to appeal to the Electoral Commission, as the body constitutionally mandated to manage electoral processes in the country, to institute all mechanisms possible to ensure adequate civic education which would deter the citizenry from engaging in such destructive behavior,” she said.
“It is crystal clear that the ongoing demonstrations and related matters are a direct replica of inadequate civic education conducted by the Electoral Commission.”
“And to all fellow Ugandans out there, I wish to inform you that there’s life after elections. Uganda belongs to each and everyone of us and the ongoing electoral processes should not come in between us but rather should unite us for a common good and a better Uganda, today, tomorrow and for eternity,” said Kadaga.
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