By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has rejected the government’s proposal to conduct forthcoming Local Council (LC) elections through lining up behind candidates, describing the method as risky and divisive.
Last week, the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, released the final draft of the master plan for Local Council administrative units (LC1, LC2 and Women Councils), announcing that elections will be held next month.
Magyezi said voting would be conducted by lining up behind candidates in more than 70,000 villages across the country. He added that elected chairpersons would appoint a committee of 10 members.
However, speaking at the party headquarters, Uganda House, on Wednesday, UPC spokesperson Sharon Oyat Arach said while the party welcomed the announcement of the elections, it strongly opposed the proposed voting method.
According to Arach, the lining-up system exposes voters to intimidation and possible retaliation, especially from candidates who may lose.
“The idea of voters lining up behind the candidate of their choice exposes the voter to a whole range of risks, much as it is cost effective,” Arach said. “UPC maintains its position that voting should be by secret means to ensure harmony in our societies. The party therefore urges the Government and the line agency, the Independent Electoral Commission, to explore ways of conducting the forthcoming Local Council elections by secret means.”
Uganda last held LC1 elections in 2018. Since then, the tenure of office bearers has been extended several times.
In addition, UPC called for national unity and reconciliation during the ongoing Lent and Ramadan seasons. The party urged government to release all political prisoners as a gesture of goodwill.
“UPC calls upon the Government to use this holy period to reflect in the spirit of good faith and release all political prisoners,” said Muzeeyi Faizo, the party’s head of media and communications.
