The heads of international observer missions have appealed to all functionaries, Uganda Electoral Commission, political parties, candidates and personalities to refrain from any acts that are likely to cause violence as Ugandans go to the polls tomorrow.
A statement issued by the heads of missions after their meeting warned all parties involved in the election to avoid any statement or dissemination of information that may cause tension, ill-will, disturbance, intimidation and adversely affect the peaceful and orderly conduct of elections.
Led by the Head of the EAC team and former Tanzania President, Mr Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the heads of mission urged voters to turn out to perform their civic responsibility peacefully, orderly and lawfully.
Their call came on the last day of campaigns in Uganda ahead of the election. Others in panel of international observers are Lady Justice Sophia Akuffo, (AU), Mr Olusegun Obasanjo (Commonwealth), Mr Rupia Banda (EISA), Ambassador Ashraf Rashed Damal (COMESA) and Mr Yufnalis Okubo (IGAD).
On Monday, clashes erupted after opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye was arrested by the police at a rally in Kampala. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds of opposition supporters who gathered to demand the release of Mr Besigye who was briefly detained.
The three-time presidential candidate who heads the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has been repeatedly arrested in past campaigns, and has been described as current president Yoweri Museveni’s “perennial opponent”.
In tomorrow’s election, seven opposition candidates are vying to contest Mr Museveni’s attempts to win a fifth term in office, but Besigye’s FDC party officials accused the government of blocking their efforts to address supporters in the city centre.
There was heavy deployment of police officers yesterday to ensure that any acts of violence were quelled.
In this year’s election, Mr Museveni faces his stiffest challenge yet from Mr Besigye, his former doctor, and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart now running as an independent candidate.
Source:Daily News:Observer missions urge calm in Uganda polls
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