A team of 10 members from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been deployed in the south-central Ugandan districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono to observe the general election scheduled for Feb.18. IGAD member states include; Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. Speaking to the media on …
Read More »EC dispatches election materials, warns on phones
The Electoral Commission (EC) has dispatched election materials including ballot papers from the commission’s warehouse in Banda ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday Feb.18. The EC chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu told journalists that phones and cameras are not allowed in the precincts of polling stations. He said …
Read More »How to avoid election-related violence
By Samuel Mondays Atuobi This is a slightly edited report by Samuel Mondays Atuobi on the causes of conflict before, during, and after elections, and what can be done to avoid it. It first appeared in a publication by the Institute for Security Studies. Elections in most African countries are …
Read More »Election war fears
By Ronald Musoke Kayihura, Lumumba reveal NRM’s 2016 plan Just days to the Feb.18 general election, tension and fear of election-related violence is rising across the country. Pressure has gone up over recent statements by the top leaders of the army, police, and the ruling NRM party warning opponents of …
Read More »The Army promises Ugandans a Peaceful election
The Chief of Defence Forces General Katumba Wamala has promised the country that the army will only play a secondary role to the police in managing the upcoming elections. “The Army is only here to support the police on election day in order to have a peaceful free and fair …
Read More »Museveni’s election strategy
By Haggai Matsiko President’s 30-year grip shaken as party primaries throw up new leaders President Yoweri Museveni is weaker. No he is stronger. Those are the contrasting views from the recent NRM party primaries and National Conference. And Museveni was out to make a statement about it when on Nov.1 …
Read More »Electoral Commission clears 8 presidential candidates for 2016 general election
Dr. Kizza Besigye will vie for next year’s presidential election alongside seven others following clearance from the Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday. The eight candidates cleared include; Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent, running on the NRM party ticket; Amama Mbabazi, Museveni’s erstwhile ally and former prime minister and NRM Secretary General running …
Read More »The dynamics of election violence
By Andrew M. Mwenda Does beating, jailing and killing of opposition supporters improve Museveni’s electoral fortunes? There is one thing on which President Yoweri Museveni and his opponents agree: that employing violence against them gives the president an advantage. Museveni and his handlers use violence perhaps in the sincere belief …
Read More »By-election nightmare
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Can the opposition capitalise on recent wins to defeat Museveni? With five wins out of the six parliamentary by-elections held so far this term, opposition parties must wish they don’t wake up from this dream anytime soon. They must also wish more seats were up for …
Read More »Reflecting on last presidential election
By Andrew M. Mwenda NRM had historically suffered major defections before every election but it enjoyed a big infusion of opposition figures in 2007-11 It is almost a year since last year’s presidential elections. The dust over the recriminations over it has settled. We have had sufficient time to reflect …
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