Police warns candidates
The Uganda Police have issued a stern warning to candidates vying for various positions in the forthcoming by elections for Local government and District Councillors to desist from holding large gatherings.
Police has also warned the public against engaging in processions or large gatherings of more than 200 persons in places where by elections are supposed to take place.
The Electoral Commission(EC) appointed dates for conducting by-elections to fill vacancies which exist in Local Government Councils in at least one hundred and ten (110) districts across the country.
The categories of vacancies to be filled during these by-elections in the above districts include; the District Chairperson for Kayunga; Chairpersons at Sub County level, as well as Councillors at the District and Sub County, including Councillors representing Special Interest Groups(SIGs).
Candidates’ are currently holding campaign meetings that kicked off last week and from Thursday 2nd to 14th December 2021.
According to the Police Spokesperson police Fred Enanga, candidates need to follow all the EC and Ministry of Health guidelines by observing Standard Operating Procedures while campaigning.
Police warns candidates
Enanga says they have received information that various candidates vying for LC5 chairperson in Kayunga have started gathering Boda boda riders in illegal meeting.Voters in Kayunga will go to the polls on December 16 to elect the District Chairperson in a highly tensed by-election.
Processions ,rallies and assemblies are still prohibited,candidates are only allowed to hold public meetings of not more than 200 people.Our duty as security agencies is to ensure that all candidates and stakeholders are safe during campaigns and that the adhere to the EC and MOH guidelines. Enanga said.
Enanga has warned that security has been beefed up at various places to counter acts of violence or planned processions.
“We have deployed sufficient manpower to combat any unlawful acts and maintain rule of law during the campaigns. Some candidates continue to mobilize Boda Boda riders who are already holding illegal processions and rallies especially in Kayunga,” he said
Polling for other Local Government Councils swill also happen on Thursday 16th December 2021. Elections for Councillors SIGs take place on Wednesday 15th December 2021.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
