By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president James Michael Jimmy Akena has called for the immediate withdrawal of the military from all electoral campaign activities, saying the growing involvement of armed personnel is undermining the country’s democratic process.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, Akena condemned what he described as high-handedness by security forces against unarmed civilians during campaign events. He said such conduct violates multiparty principles and the rights of Ugandans.
“As a party, we demand that the army be withdrawn from electoral activities immediately,” Akena said. “Someone is unarmed but is being clobbered by people in uniform, masked, holding them down. No. Let us have an honest conversation about the future of Uganda.”
His remarks come amid a series of reported attacks on opposition candidates and their supporters by individuals in military uniform and others in plain clothes, particularly targeting the campaign team of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
“What Kyagulanyi and his supporters have gone through while campaigning in West Nile, Ankole, Kawempe and other parts of the country is totally unacceptable and must be condemned by all,” Akena stated. “The excessive use of force and the ugly scenes of brutality witnessed in Gulu on December 6 are uncalled for and should be discouraged at all costs.”
The UPC leader also criticized the emergence of violent groups allegedly working alongside security operatives during campaign events, saying such actions disenfranchise citizens. He urged Ugandans to speak out against police brutality and demand a level playing field for all candidates.
“It is time for the silent majority to come out and speak. Let their voices be heard,” he said.
A visibly frustrated Akena said national campaigns should be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere, adding: “What we are seeing now is nonsense. This is not an election.”
He reminded security personnel that there will come a time when the current government will no longer be in power and they will be required to account for their actions.
Akena, who was barred from being nominated as a presidential candidate, reiterated his earlier call to UPC members not to vote for President Yoweri Museveni, whom he blames for his failed nomination. He encouraged his supporters to cast their ballots for any of the other seven presidential candidates instead.
He warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any UPC member found campaigning or voting for President Museveni.
