By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has called for evidence – based resolution in election disputes in Uganda. UPC was responding to President Museveni’s allegations of electoral malpractices against the National Unity Platform (NUP), and UPC when they urged that any election disputes should be resolved through evidence presented to the relevant authorities, allowing the law to take its course.
President Museveni recently claimed that NUP rigged the 2021 general elections by one million votes, stating he has concrete evidence to support his claim.
However, critics argue that Museveni’s allegations are unfounded and that the electoral process is often marred by violence and malpractices orchestrated by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The UPC says NRM is well known involvement in electoral irregularities, including bribery, voter intimidation, and abuse of state resources during elections which is not the case with opposition political parties.
“Opposition political parties do not have capacity and audacity to carry out such malpractices in elections which are always highly militarized,” said Sharon Oyat Arach, UPC Spokesperson.
She noted that the president’s remarks should not be taken lightly because they may have far reaching implications on future electoral democracy in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s national vice president, Fred Mukasa Mbidde is doubtful about Uganda’s ability to hold free and fair elections due to the current electoral process.
He emphasizes the need for an independent electoral commission that prioritizes serving the public interest rather than allegiance to those in power.
