Kyagulanyi expected at electoral commission today

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the President of the National Unity Platform-NUP party is expected at the Electoral Commission today, to defend himself against allegations of flouting EC guidelines. 

Last week the Electoral Commission summoned the two presidential candidates Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Kyagulanyi, together with two Parliamentary candidates for repeatedly flouting of COVID-19 guidelines that limit public gatherings. However, neither presidential candidate made a show at the Jinja road based Commission where they were expected on Monday.

Amuriat sent party lawyer Julius Galisonga while Kyagulanyi sent party vice president Mathias Mpuuga, Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, lawyer Medard Sseggona and others to represent him. Galisonga said their candidate was unable to honor the summons because he was campaigning in Karamoja sub region which made it logistically impossible for to return to Kampala. 

They proposed that Amuriat appears at the Electoral Commission on December 19 when he is expected to campaign in Mukono. However, the Commission insisted that he must appear on December 16. 

Meanwhile, the National Unity Platform too said their candidate wouldn’t make it to Kampala because he was returning from Northern Uganda where he has been campaigning. Mathias Mpuuga who represented him however said that they agreed that Kyagulanyi will meet the Commission today before he embarks on his campaign trial in Western Uganda

Last week the president Museveni complained about the failure of the Electoral Commission and the Police to stop candidates who were campaigning in total disregard of the COVID-19 control guidelines. Museveni who is also a candidate in this elections said the surging numbers of COVID-19 are  as a result of the indiscipline of the political class who have disregarded the directives put in place by the ministry of health.

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