With the 2021 general elections preparations in high gear, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has distanced itself from politicians calling for the declaration of a State of Emergency in the country which would result in postponement of the 2021 General Election due to the transmission of Covid-19.
A number of Opposition political parties led by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who have opposed the Electoral Commission’s (EC) guidelines that require candidates to conduct digital campaigns instead of the traditional public rallies, have been calling for a declaration of a State of Emergency so that elections can be postponed.
While appearing before Appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Tuesday, July 7, the NRM Secretariat team led by the secretary general, Justine Kasule Lumumba, Opposed the MPs who were asking why President Museveni has declined to declare a State of Emergency but let Ugandans risk their lives by going into elections under the current circumstances.
“As things stand now, the President is not satisfied to declare a State of Emergency as referred to in Article 110 of the Constitution. The declaration of a State of Emergency is not an easy thing,” Oscar Kihika, the NRM party director of legal services.
Kihikia who was responding to a matter raised by Bukooli North MP Gaster Mugoya, on why gov’t had failed to declare a state of emergency told the MPs that by postponing the elections as a result of a State of Emergency, the government would usurp the powers of the people to elect their leaders every five years.
Referring to the ugly scenes that followed the 1960s State of Emergency, Kihika said such a declaration in the current circumstances will pose serious concerns to the entire country regarding civil liberties.
“Those of you who are agitating for a State of Emergency, there are serious issues with it. When the President chooses not to take this step, you must know where he is coming from. He doesn’t want to take away the powers of the people,” Kihika said.
Article 110 (1) of the Constitution provides that the President, in consultation with Cabinet, can declare a State of Emergency in Uganda or any part of the country after satisfaction that the country is facing such circumstances as being threatened by war or external aggression; threat to security or economic life of the country; and threat to public safety. The State of Emergency is supposed to last 90 days but is extendible.
However, in the event that the elections are postponed as a result of a State of Emergency, the NRM government would relinquish power on May 12, 2021, when President Museveni’s term ends and hand over to the Speaker of Parliament.
On the matter of Scientif elections, the Nrm secretariat team was slow to divulge information about their position but nevertheless insisted they were ready to participate in the 2021 polls even without the public rallies.
Lumumba said the EC only needs support of all the participating political parties and actors to conduct a credible election under the current circumstances.
She urged political parties to continue engaging with EC and among themselves to form a common ground to enable the Commission conduct free and fair elections despite the Covid-19 pandemic constraints.
Speaking to Journalists on Tuesday, July 7, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, minister for Gender, Labour and social refered to politicians who are agitating for the postponement of elections as cowards.
