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Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |
Forum for Democratic Change –FDC party leaders and candidates in Kasese District have protested the suspension of mass political campaign activities in the district.
On Saturday, the EC suspended campaign meetings of all categories of elections in 16 districts and cities in the country due to the surging Covid-19 infections exacerbated by mass gatherings.
The districts include Kasese, Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, and Kampala among others. EC advised candidates to restrict themselves to virtual campaigns by using radios, televisions, social media, community-based Public Address Systems (kizindaalo) and other online platforms.
In Kasese, the FDC leaders on Monday stormed the District Registrar’s office and demanded an explanation on how they will solicit for votes without open mass campaigns. They also challenged the directive saying that it is only the mandate of the Ministry of Health to issue such guidance.
Saulo Maate is the FDC Kasese District Chairperson, says that it will be impossible for the party candidates to access radio stations since the air space has been bought-off by NRM candidates.
He is also worried that few people will be able to follow all candidates’ campaigns on radio and social media platforms. Kasese District has four radio stations three of which are founded by religious institutions and one state-owned.
Florence Kabugho, the FDC candidate for Kasese District Woman MP seat is worried by the high costs involved in securing radio talk shows and maintaining political campaign agents.
She says the suspension of campaigns comes at a time when she has not covered the entire district to converse for support.
William Musabe Nzoghu, the MP for Busongora County North who is seeking re-election advised the electoral commission to make clarity on the new campaigning options.
He says the new directives are not yet clear to candidates and predicts clashes with security personnel.
Kasese Municipality MP Robert Centenary says the move could be aimed at sabotaging campaigns of opposition candidates.
Other candidates like National Unity Platform Kasese Municipality MP seat candidate Sam Baluku want the Electoral Commission to buy air time for candidates in the affected districts.
But the District Returning Officer Ismail Atwijukire Takih explained that the directive affects candidates contesting for elective positions irrespective of their political affiliations.
The EC had earlier restricted campaign rallies to not more than 200 people. However, there have between clashes between candidates and security personnel over enforcement of the covid-19 guidelines.
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