By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has urged all its PWD leaders and local leadership at all levels to actively monitor and support Electoral Commission (EC) exercise for identification and registration of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the National Voters Register.
EC will conduct a nationwide identification and mapping exercise for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on the National Voters Register, between Monday 4th to 13th November, 2024. The exercise is part of preparations for the upcoming Special Interest Groups (SIGs) elections set for next year.
Sharon Oyat Arach, Spokesperson of the UPC has called on its members to mobilise PWDs in their communities to participate in the exercise, and identify potential candidates who could carry the party’s flag in the upcoming elections.
“All UPC PWD leaders and the entire local leadership at all levels are called upon to follow this activity closely and massively mobilise PWD members to effectively participate in this program as they identify potential PWDs who will carry the Party Flag,” Arach said.
UPC also urged the youth to take part in the compilation of National Youth Voters Register, scheduled for early 2025 as per the IEC’s revised national roadmap. They emphasized the need for intensified mobilisation among the youth in anticipation of the SIGs elections next year.
However, the party expressed concerns over the lack of attention that has historically been given to SIGs elections, which include the youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities. According to UPC, this has resulted in low participation from these groups in national elections.
UPC urged the Electoral Commission to increase its focus on SIGs elections, particularly through grassroots mobilisation, in the same way as it does with general elections because SIGs elections play a crucial role in ensuring equal representation of marginalized groups in national politics.
