P. Sarojini
Uganda (CWBN)_ Under the leadership of Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala, the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has requested the government to postpone the presidential elections for three years and permit President Museveni’s government to rule the country throughout the postponement time.
Dr Lwanga addressed the journalists in Kampala on Wednesday. He mentioned the spread of Covid-19 as the key reason for his proposal and said that this is not a favorable time for fair elections. He said, “A few days ago, our top leadership of UJCC to which I am the current Chairman, discussed this current entire sad situation at length and we came up with a resolution that we should postpone the presidential elections for at least three years so as to allow both the Covid-19 pandemic and the electoral climate to cool down and also create a favorable political and social environment which will enhance peaceful free and fair elections. This is a debatable proposition that we call upon the Parliament to discuss objectively”.
Dr Lwanga accused the politicians for not following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) put in place by the government and that this has raised the spread of Covid-19 and several deaths are to be expected following the elections.
Dr Lwanga requested the Parliament to consider the UJCC’s proposal. While speaking to the media, he said, “We know the constitution says if elections are postponed, the Speaker of Parliament takes over government. Article 259 of the Constitution allows Parliament to amend laws. We are asking Parliament to sit down and amend the constitution to allow President Museveni to continue ruling and guiding the country during the period of three year postponement of elections”.
Fr Daniel Musiitwa, the UJCC deputy executive secretary in charge finance & administration, and Twikirize Lois, deputy executive secretary in charge of programs also joined Dr Lwanga. While the Government spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo said that the council’s proposal to postpone the elections was too late. He took to Twitter and wrote, “If quoted accurately then it has surely been long taken by events and time. Let’s move on. Leave time wasters alone”.
Dr. Lwanga’s made his proposal prior to the latest report from Ministry of Health, which stated 489 new COVID-19 infections and seven new virus deaths, as cases rose to 32,399 and deaths from viruses reached 245 as of Wednesday.
