By Monitor Team
Police Tuesday said they will not allow displaying of campaign symbols, verbally advocating for a specific candidate, having campaign literature, political attire such as t-shirts and caps, among other branding materials on polling day (January 14, 2021).“Do not campaign at the polls because all political activities on polling day are prohibited like displaying campaign symbols, verbally advocating for a specific candidate, and having campaign literature. In addition, wearing political attire to the polls, such as T-shirt, caps is considered campaigning. Therefore, let us leave all the political swag at home,” police spokesperson Fred Enanga said Tuesday as Uganda prepares for a tense election that has been marred with violence.He said the focus of the Joint Security Agencies is now on the Election Day, where all Ugandans especially voters, will make their choices. “It is therefore, a very crucial stage of democracy, and we shall ensure eligible voters safely perform this sacred civic duty,” CP Enanga added.According to police, there are basic rules that voters need to follow when voting, so that they do not end up breaking the Law. The Thursday vote will come after one of the bloodiest campaigns in years, as veteran leader Yoweri Museveni seeks a sixth term against popstar-turned-MP Bobi Wine, who has managed to fire up a youthful population that has mostly known only one president.Bobi Wine, who has spent most of the campaign in a bulletproof vest and combat helmet facing teargas, bullets and numerous arrests, on Tuesday urged his supporters to “protect” the election from rigging.Despite the 38-year-old’s popularity, few observers believe he can pull off a victory against Museveni, a 76-year-old former rebel leader who has ruled since 1986 and effectively crushed any opposition.Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter were down in the East African nation on Tuesday, after the communications regulator ordered a social media shutdown.In a letter, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) executive director Irene Sewankambo ordered telecommunications companies to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms.An industry insider said that the order was first communicated in “nasty and aggressive” phone calls to the telecommunications companies on Tuesday morning.Facebook said Monday that the accounts were linked to the ministry of information and technology. ‘Guard the vote’ Some 18 million voters are registered for the presidential and parliamentary ballot, which takes place after a chaotic campaign.Journalists covering opposition rallies have been attacked, government critics locked up, and election monitors prosecuted, raising concerns over the transparency of the electoral process.Two days of protests in November (18 and 19) left 54 people dead.European Union High Representative Josep Borrell said in a statement calling for a credible vote that “the excessive use of force by law enforcement and security agencies has seriously tarnished this electoral process.” Advertisement
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, told journalists his home had been raided and his staff beaten by security forces on Tuesday morning.He said the ruling party was trying to scare voters away from the ballot box and urged them to record any abuses or irregularities on polling day.”We are telling you, you will not be breaking the law when you stay and protect your vote. We encourage you to use your phones, use your cameras. Your phone is a very powerful weapon, that camera is very powerful, use it.” Young and free Bobi Wine’s rise has rattled Museveni, who has outlasted all but two of Africa’s long-serving rulers, and watched as ageing strongmen elsewhere on the continent have been ousted in popular, youth-led uprisings.Mr Mueveni presides over a population with a median age less than 16, that is, increasingly urban and educated.Although he has campaigned under the slogan “securing your future”, the economic boom enjoyed during his early years has faded.Only 75,000 new jobs are created each year for the 700,000 youth reaching working age, trapping most in poorly-paid farm labour, the World Bank says.”We want change. There are no jobs, no money, we can’t go to study and when we go to the hospital, there is no medicine,” said 23-year-old Dorah Wasswa, hawking cheap wares on a pot-holed Kampala street. ‘We are too many’ A wily strategist, Museveni has outfoxed challengers to remain firmly in control, although analysts say his position is largely assured through patronage and force, rather than popular appeal.He confronts in this election a divided opposition, with 10 candidates tackling him individually rather than presenting a united front.Uganda is experiencing a rise in coronavirus cases and the United Nations and rights watchdogs say special election measures to contain the pandemic have been weaponised to browbeat Museveni’s opponents while leaving the ruling party untouched.Bobi Wine says his supporters are “peaceful but assertive” and vows nonviolent protest should the election appear rigged.”We come with only words. He (Museveni) comes to us with bullets, bombs, grenades and teargas. We are non-violent. We are just too many for him,” Bobi Wine re-echoed.
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