KAMPALA – In a democratic society, if a candidate or political group loses an election, it is prudent that upon exhausting the legal processes, they move on to strategize for the next election.
Following the declaration of the presidential candidates’ results of the 14th January 2021 general elections by Justice Simon Byabakama the Electoral Commission chairperson, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a. Bobi Wine, petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the victory of his counterpart Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni who is also the sitting president of the Republic of Uganda.
After failing to provide evidence and facts backing his petition, in his own words, the petitioner decided to withdraw the matter from Court and take it to what he calls “the people’s court”.
The Minister of State for ICT Hon. Peter Ogwang revealed that the former presidential aspirant has also gone on to attack different institutions, including the clergy and judiciary with unsubstantiated claims of abetting voter fraud and undermining their integrity.
The leadership of the National Unity Platform and other political groups has resorted to undemocratic means of “the public court” to call for protests amidst claims of voter fraud, arbitrary arrests, and detentions, Ogwang said.
He also added that the government is not going to allow such acts intended to raise a specter of violent activities under the cover of freedom and right to political demonstrations.
Arrangements for the swearing-in of the President-elect by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda are underway and any form of protests, demonstrations, and violence aimed at overturning the people’s decision in the general elections is tantamount to treason.
Government and security forces have been continuously assuring the general public that their security and safety are guaranteed and that they should not be discouraged from going about their lawful businesses.
In November 2020 political demonstrations led by National Unity Platform political party supporters turned violent, with demonstrators targeting government installations, motor vehicles, provoking security personnel with petrol bombs, rocks, burning police stations, looting, and vandalism, among others.
The Minister has warned the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership, its sympathizers, well-wishers, and fans to desist from using the guise of protests as their political weapon and urged all media practitioners not to glorify violence, by desisting from broadcasting images or publishing pieces of information likely to spark violence.
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