Minister Kiwanda: EC Should Suspend Candidates Defying SOPs

Godfrey Kiwanda has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to suspend candidates defying COVID-19 guidelines.

The State Minister for Tourism and National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Central Region on the Central Executive Committee (CEC), Godfrey Kiwanda has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to suspend candidates defying COVID-19 guidelines.

Minister Kiwanda made the remarks while appearing on NBS TV’s Morning Breeze programme on Monday. He said that due to the ongoing coronavirus, the EC put up guidelines for all presidential candidates to abide by when conducting their campaign rallies.

Kiwanda, however, noted that opposition members are not adhering to these measures. He, in particular, cited out the National Unity Platform party presidential flag bearer, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine for mobilising gatherings.

He said that the NUP leader also ferries supporters from Kampala to the particular districts were he conducts his campaigns.

“Our candidates are indigenous. National Unity Platform ferries people from Kampala, and they are paid,” Kiwanda said.

He also, said that ruling party president, Yoweri Museveni has used to hold such rallies but because of the COVID-19 he has opted to stick to only 200 people.

“If there is anybody who has been constrained so much by #COVID19, it is President Museveni. He used to hold a rally of over two million people, but now he is limited to only 200 people.”

The President is very strict on the SOPs. We have some excitement from voters and mobilizers when they see opposition having rallies; they want to prove a point,” Kiwanda added noting that the EC has not done enough to enforce it’s set measures.

He said suggested that if they were to suspend candidates for defying measures others would have complied to the maximum.

“The EC and Justice Byabakama didn’t prepare well. We needed more stringent laws. If candidates were being disqualifies for defying the guidelines, they would follow the SOPs,” Kiwanda added.

Meanwhile, this comes at a time when the EC last week supported the Police’s decision to manhandle candidates who are non-compliant to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Simon Byabakama the Commission’s Chairperson said that the police must ensure all Ugandans comply to the measures in place.

“We have warned the candidates that being a presidential candidate does not put you up in Heaven, above the law. If the candidates are not following the guidelines. It is the role of the security to ensure they comply, period.”

“I want to believe that there is no way that Uganda Police will come and find us gathered without observing COVID19 guidelines and open fire,” Byabakama’s said last week.