The Joint security task force has vowed to crack down on various political players who have chosen to actively hold grassroots campaigns in disregard of the guidelines set by the Electoral Commission-EC and the Ministry of Health-MOH.

According to the police spokesperson Fred Enanga, it has come to their knowledge that political actors including the ruling  National Resistance Movement -NRM, Forum for Democratic Change -FDC and the Pressure group People Power have been holding illegal meetings and attracting crowds.

Enanga says according to the EC roadmap, the regulatory body is yet to officially register flag bearers for campaigns but a handful of politicians have been witnessed engaging in grassroots campaigns.

Enanga says the Electoral and political offenses unit of the police has already opened case files and is yet to summon the above mentioned political players for holding illegal assemblies which are likely to jeopardize the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Uganda.

The EC on June 16th, 2020 decided to push ahead with organizing the scheduled February 2021 General Election by releasing a roadmap.

Under the roadmap, the Commission banned mass gatherings and directed parties and candidates to use various media platforms to reach out to voters.

The EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama said the decision was reached with guidance from the physical distancing directives issued by the Ministry of Health.

Byabakama says after consultation with the Ministry of Health they adopted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate safe participation by all stakeholders in the electoral process.

Among the safe practices included Practicing social distancing, Wearing face masks in public and Regular washing of hands among others.

According to the EC road map, the deadline for identifying flag bearers ends on the 21st of July 2020.

No Activity Period

  1. Deadline for Political Party and Organisations to identify flag bearers is btn 22nd June – 21st July 2020)
  2. Deadline for the establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Local Government (7th July 2020)
  3. Deadline for the establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Parliamentary Elections (11th August 2020)
  4. Deadline for the establishment of academic papers with Electoral Commission by aspiring candidates for Presidential Elections (1st September 2020)