The Electoral Commission on 10th December, 2020 invited both Candidates Robert Kyagulanyi sponsored by the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Amuriat Patrick Oboi sponsored by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party for a meeting on Monday 14th December, 2020, over continued ignoring and/or neglect to observe the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) by holding mass rallies and processions, contrary to established guidelines, thereby risking the lives of the supporters and the general public participating in these activities; and resulting into occasional unwarranted confrontations with security personnel.
The Electoral Commission invited the two Presidential candidates to appear in person at the Commission Headquarters, but they only sent their lawyers and party official representatives. While Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi was reportedly returning from Kapyelebong District; Candidate Amuriat Patrick Oboi was reportedly in the Karamojong region.
The Commission emphasized that the matter for discussion, namely, the persistent breach of campaign guidelines, requires the presence of the individual candidates, having noted that physical presence was critical considering that this was not the first time the Commission was discussing the important matter of non-compliance with campaign guidelines.
The Commission further, noted with concern, that the said candidates are holding their campaigns in a manner that violates the Guidelines for Conduct of Campaign Meetings.
Accordingly, the Electoral Commission has deferred the meeting with Presidential Candidates Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to Tuesday 15th December 2020 at 9.00am; and the meeting with Candidate Amuriat Patrick Oboi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will be conducted on Wednesday 16th December 2020, at 10.00am, respectively, when the candidates will appear in person.
The Commission earlier on held meetings with two Parliamentary candidates, namely, Mugema Panadol, contesting as an Independent Candidate for Member of Parliament, Iganga Municipality, Iganga District and Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, sponsored by the National Resistance Movement party who is contesting for Member of Parliament, Kyotera County, Kyotera District, over breach of election guidelines.
The two Parliamentary candidates appeared in person and owned up to their respective mistake, and pledged to comply with the guidelines in future campaigns. Both pledged to submit their written commitment to the campaign guidelines by Wednesday 16th December 2020, and also undertook to champion the message of observing the SOPs among their respective electorates.
In this regard, the Commission warned them of the likelihood of suspension of their campaigns in the event of their continued disregard of the campaign guidelines.
