The general public is not invited for the presidential nomination activities - Hon Judith Nabakooba

Fellow countrymen and woman, the Presidential Nominations are here with us and I want to use today’s briefing to emphasise a few important aspects.

The Electoral Commission has finalized arrangements for the Presidential nominations.
I want to call upon all candidates and members of the public to respect and go by the guidelines provided.
First, we are reminded that the general public is not invited for the nomination activities.

This has been done to comply with the existing Standard Operating Procedures against COVID-19.
I therefore want to advise everyone to stay away from the nomination venue.
Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone disobeying the guidelines.
We have noticed some candidates mobilising their supporters to turn up in big numbers. 

 

This is wrong and I call upon the general public to disregard such messages.
Please stay at home and follow the proceedings through the different media channels such as radio and television.
The Electoral Commission has given each candidate a limited number of people at the nomination venue.

It is only His Excellency the President that has been allowed a few more escorts for security reasons because of his status.
My simple advice to the rest of the candidates is please follow the guidance in place by the Electoral Commission.
I call upon everyone to support the Electoral Commission and all other agencies to ensure that elections are peaceful.

The security agencies led by the Uganda Police are going to be extra vigilant in enforcing the laid down procedures.
After the Nominations every candidate will have the opportunity to put forward their manifesto.
Candidates are advised to maximize the virtual channels such as radio, TV and social media when unveiling their manisfestos.

A manifesto is what every candidate promises to do when elected come January next year.
I therefore call upon members of the public to scrutinise all the manifestos presented.
Let us study the manifestos and ask the hard questions on how each candidate plans to deliver on their promises.

By doing this, we shall have actively engaged in conducting a free and fair election.
I call upon all presidential candidates to focus on selling their manifestos as opposed to attacking others.
Candidates are reminded to be respectful of each other, avoiding slander and malice.

This way, our country will be able to sail through this electoral process peacefully.
Joining us today to re-emphasize some of the laid down guidelines for nomination is Senior Supretendant of Police in Charge of Kampala Traffic, Norman Musinga.
He will be reminding all road users about the changes that have been put in place.

I urge all motorists to be mindful of the new instructions to avoid being inconvenienced.
But before Norman speaks, I want to remind the country that COVID-19 is still here with us and it kills.
The total number of infections is now at twelve thousand, four hundred ninety five cases (12,495) and one hundred and eleven deaths. (111)

The Ministry of Health has noted with concern an increase in new infections in the areas of Gulu, Kitgum, Arua, Kiryandongo and Karamoja.
As we go in for the nominations tomorrow and Tuesday, I call upon everyone to watch out against COVID-19.

All candidates and the few agreed upon escorts will be expected to have their masks on all the time.
Let us continue putting in place the existing guidance on social distancing, washing of hands with soap frequently and others.

For God and my Country

Thank you
Judith Nabakooba
Minister, ICT & National Guidance