By Johnson Kanyesige
The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, has issued a stern warning to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) accused of blocking political candidates from accessing designated campaign venues and appearing on radio talk shows.
Byabakama made the remarks on Monday while addressing journalists at the EC headquarters in Kampala’s Industrial Area after a meeting with presidential candidate agents and the Uganda Police Force to assess the campaign process, which started a month ago. He described the conduct of some RDCs as “very wrong” and contrary to Uganda’s constitutional and electoral framework.
“I am told that some RDCs are blocking candidates from accessing or holding rallies at designated campaign venues, which is very wrong. I am going to take up this matter with the Minister for the Presidency because I understand she is the one in charge of the RDCs,” Byabakama said.
The EC Chairperson emphasized that all duly nominated presidential candidates have the constitutional right to freely conduct campaigns across the country. “Every candidate who was duly nominated and has indicated his campaign program and harmonized with others is at liberty to go to any part of the country and carry out campaigns at a designated venue,” he stated.
Byabakama noted that the cancellation of campaign venues without valid reasons undermines the integrity of the electoral process and creates unnecessary tension during what should be a peaceful campaign period.
He assured the public that the Commission would engage the Office of the Presidency to ensure RDCs respect the rights of candidates.
