The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Rtd.Gen Kahinda Otafiire has urged Ugandans and Africans to stop commercialising elections.Gen Otafiire made the remarks while officiating the Electoral Commission symposium that was held at Munyonyo.
Otafiire says Ugandans should stop the habit of asking for money from Candidates during elections.
“Avoid bribery ,killings,lies during elections,”says Otafiire.
He added that during the last elections, people from his constituency asked him for money in order to vote him and when he refused they voted him out.
He further said that Africans and Ugandans should avoid outing down the economy during elections.
“Economies of most of African Countries normally go down during elections and this must stop,” he says adding that we must adopt the way how European Countries hold their elections.
“Have you ever heard investors fleeing America because of elections,” asked Otafiire.
He cautions Ugandans to stop violence during elections because it hinders our development.
Simon Byabakama the Chairperson Electoral Commission says they will make sure violence will not occur during 2021 elections.
“I want to assure Ugandans that EC will maintain stability during 2021 elections and elections will be free and fair,”he says
Sam Rwakojjo the Secretary to Electoral Commission says EC has been making mistakes in the recent elections but they will not repeat them.
“Mistakes are human but we have learnt from the previous mistakes and we hope not to do them in 2021 elections,”says Sam Rwakojjo.
He further says peace and security will be given to all Ugandans during this elections.
The symposium was attended by opposition parties that included UPC led by Non Jimmy Akena, Abed Bwanika,Men Lukyamuzi among others.However FDC,DP were missing.
Security agencies were also represented.
