By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Electoral Commission has condemned acts of violence among supporters of different presidential candidates during the ongoing campaigns, warning that such conduct violates electoral guidelines.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said on Friday that the Commission has received reports of clashes between rival supporters in various parts of the country, urging political actors to promote peace and tolerance.
“We are getting reports that some supporters are attacking those of rival candidates, which violates the electoral rules and guidelines,” Mucunguzi said. “The Electoral Commission condemns the use of hate speech and sectarian language in campaigns. We have directed police to investigate these incidents, and anyone found guilty will be dealt with according to the law.”
Mucunguzi’s remarks followed violent clashes in Kiruhura District, where alleged supporters of the NRM, clad in party-branded T-shirts and armed with sticks and stones, attacked NUP supporters and defaced campaign posters as Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) arrived to campaign in Rushere on Wednesday.
The EC spokesperson appealed to candidates and their agents to advise their supporters to remain peaceful and to view elections as a democratic competition rather than a life-or-death struggle.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Friday declared former Uganda Media Centre Executive Director, Ofwono Opondo, as unopposed for the position of Eastern Region Representative of Older Persons in Parliament.
Reading the declaration, Nsuube Richard, the returning officer for Eastern Region, announced that Opondo had been elected unopposed following the withdrawal of his rival.
“I, Nsuube Richard, being the returning officer for Eastern Region representative of older persons in Parliament, pursuant to Section 37 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177, declare Ofwono Opondo P’odel of the NRM Party elected unopposed,” he declared.
Opondo’s Democratic Party rival, Mpande Joram Kigenyi, conceded to a petition challenging his nomination over alleged forgery.
“Today, my opponent conceded my petition at the Electoral Commission Tribunal chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama over forgery in nomination documents, and I was declared unopposed,” Opondo posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Speaking after his declaration, Opondo pledged to serve diligently and advocate for the welfare of older persons across 40 districts in Eastern Uganda.
He proposed lowering the eligibility age for beneficiaries under the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme from 80 years to 65 years, and investing the grant money in shares and Treasury bonds to generate sustainable income.
“We can simultaneously lower the age of eligibility from 80 to 65 for the most vulnerable, but most important is ensuring regular income,” Opondo said.
He also proposed that older persons receive free medication and have designated clinic days to ease access to healthcare services.
“We can gazette a day, say Monday or Friday, when older persons go to health centres for check-ups or to collect drugs without long queues. It only takes innovative thinking,” he added.
Opondo is expected to be sworn in May next year.
