Uganda Fails To Adhere To Scientific Campaigns Under Covid-19 #rwanda #RwOT

In July, the government of Uganda had announced that presidential campaigns would be conducted in a scientific manner- meaning no physical campaign rallies but the complete use of electronic infrastructure such as social media, Television, Radio and other virtual methods.

On June 16, the Uganda Electoral Commission issued a press release banning public rallies for the 2021 political campaigns as part of the country's Covid-19 containment measures. 'Campaigns will now be conducted on radio and television, in newspapers, and on the internet,' the Uganda Electoral Commission said then.

However, six months later, all the presidential candidates are traversing the country and holding physical rallies where voters assemble without any face masks on and with complete disregard of social distancing.

An attempt of the opposition to access radio and television stations can be described as near impossible especially when security agents have been reported to switch off Masts, cut off electricity to these media houses whenever an opposition candidate has schedule or while on air.

On August 13, 2020, presidential candidate of the National Unity Platform, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine dragged government to court for blocking of his radio talk shows. In July, police in Jinja tried to stop Bobi Wine from speaking on a local radio and attempted to enter the studio but were denied access.

Despite paying Shs 1.2 million to the station, Kyagulanyi was blocked by police from appearing on BCU FM in August. Kyagulanyi was expected to appear on BCU FM between 9:00 am to 12:00 pm together with Manjiya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe, Mbale district Forum for Democratic Change chairperson and Margret Wokuri, one of the aspirants for the Industrial City Division parliamentary seat.

'So why is there a situation, it's okay for some for the Museveni's to engage on radios and TVs but it is not okay for honourable Kyagulanyi Ssentamu to engage in the media. We're saying what is good for the goose should be good for the gander and we shall not keep complaining and sending warnings. We're going to take actions â€" legal action in every sense and internationally because Uganda is part of the international community. We're not going to watch by as our rights are being violated.' NUP spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi said.

Ssenyonyi warned security against continuing to break the law by blocking Kyagulanyi from appearing on radio stations yet the Electoral Commission has sanctioned digital campaigns on radios and TVs. He says the officers mounted roadblocks on all roads leading to the station and directed management not to host Kyagulanyi.