President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ruled out the possibility of having elections in 2021 if the country is still grappling with Coronavirus pandemic, TrumpetNews reports.
The President says its unwise to gather people in such a delicate environment which could facilitate the spread of COVID-19.
Museveni made the remarks Friday while speaking to local television NBS on a wide range of issues related to politics, health and economics at a time when the world is battling a pandemic.
The President said the full discussion will run on Monday at 9pm.
“Earlier today, I had a one-on-one interview on a wide range of issues with NBS. The show will air next Monday at 9pm,” he tweeted on Friday.
Museveni was harsh on his political opponents who peddle a notion that he has capitalized on the outbreak of the disease to score political capital by trying to take credit as far as defeating the virus is concerned.
To Museveni, whoever is propagating that narrative is an “idiot.”
“Who could wish for this so that I speak and become popular?” he wondered…. “rubbish, idiots.” He shot back.
Uganda is seen as one of the few countries in the world that have labored to neutralize the disease despite few resources available.
Currently there is a huge reduction in community cases in Uganda with a number of new infections arising from truck drivers who enter Uganda from neighboring states.
Uganda has since confirmed 114 cases as of today, 55 recoveries and zero deaths. For over a month the community cases reported are not more than 10.
The population has since credited the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta who most of the times interacts with the citizens through his Presidential addresses urging them to comply with the health guidelines.
Against that backdrop, political pundits hugely anticipate Museveni will win the coming election with a landslide.
But the President doubts the election will be organized due to the existence of the virus.
“It will be madness to say you go and people gather. I don’t think it will be wise,” says Museveni.
Electoral Commission as the regulator also agrees with the President but says there can be a way in which elections can be organized in compliance with health guidelines.
Jotham Taremwa, the spokesperson of Electoral Commission told this website that:
“The fact is, you can not have electoral activities conducted in a covid19 environment the same way as before. The Commission is looking at how we can implement electoral programs in compliance with the Government guidelines on covid19 and at the same time not conflicting with the electoral laws. For now, its life let’s first rally behind the President and Government in fighting the spread of Covid19. At an appropriate time, the Commission will inform the Country the electoral program.”
Crispy Kaheru, an election observer however, says extending an election violates the existing legal framework.
“The framers of the 1995 Constitution made postponing a general election one of the most difficult manoeuvres. Article 77 of the Constitution envisages extension of the life of Parliament for a period of not more than six months if a state of war or emergency is in existence. Even in times of war or emergency, a parliamentary resolution in favour of the extension backed by not less than two-thirds of all MPs has to be passed,” said Kaheru.
