Uganda halts campaigning for January 14 vote in numerous districts | Uganda Information

Election fee suspends campaigning for presidential polls, citing coronavirus challenges, as opposition cries foul.

Uganda has suspended all campaigning for January’s presidential polls in the money and 10 highly-populated districts, citing coronavirus threats, but critics reported the actual cause was the opposition’s recognition in these locations.

The East African place is scheduled to maintain the presidential election on January 14.

“The Independent Electoral Commission has suspended campaign meetings in districts and towns categorised by the Ministry of Well being as having significant spread of Coronavirus. From December 26, 2020, no marketing campaign conferences will be held in Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, Kasese, Masaka, Wakiso, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo, Kampala City and Tororo,” fee spokesman Paul Bukenya claimed in a assertion on Saturday.

Uganda has claimed 33,360 COVID-19 infections and 245 fatalities from the virus considering that the pandemic commenced.

Pop singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 38, whose actual identify is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as the strongest challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, 76, who has been in electricity considering that 1986.

Bobi Wine is common among the young men and women in the nation. Quite a few of his supporters say they are drawn to him by the criticism of Museveni’s governing administration woven into his lyrics. Other people say that as a young chief, he is far better positioned to deal with the worries they face.

Very last month, 3 persons died in protests that erupted following law enforcement arrested Bobi Wine when he was campaigning in the country’s east for violating anti-coronavirus actions.

Bobi Wine reported the commission’s action was “cowardly” in a tweet right after the announcement, adding: “The dictatorship is in panic. They have been stunned by the substantial enthusiasm and assist we have acquired within just all elements of the country. They just can not picture what would occur if they allowed our people to meet in these spots.”

He experienced rallies scheduled in Kampala upcoming week.

The ruling Nationwide Resistance Motion has no trouble with the suspension of campaigning simply because they feel the fee took the choice to help save the life of Ugandans, get together spokesman Rogers Mulindwa instructed Reuters information company.

The electoral commission had before restricted marketing campaign rallies to no much more than 200 folks to prevent the unfold of the virus.