Uganda: Church calls for peace, and free, fair, credible election

Source: CAFOD/UEC

Uganda will go to the polls this Thursday, 14th January 2021. This has been an election campaign marked by deadly violence - with 54 people killed last November at an opposition rally. Fredrick Ssemwanga from local aid organisation - Uganda National Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace - is the Parliamentary Liaison for Uganda Episcopal Conference. He gave his view of the election to CAFOD:

"There is a lot of fear and anxiety on what may happen after the election on Thursday (14th January). This has been mainly due to the current pre-election violence in the country with attacks to civilians, media, and civil society. Many are convinced that elections may not be free and fair.

"Violence has been experienced in the pre-election period, particularly last year in November, when 54 people were killed when taking part in an opposition rally. Due to Covid-19, the Uganda Electoral Commission issued a new road map which prohibited big gatherings as a step towards controlling the spread of the virus and this has in the end limited campaigning by most political players. This has also been one of the major causes of pre-election violence as the police and other security agencies struggled to enforce the Ministry of Health guidance.

"We may not have violence on election day itself. But depending on how the Uganda Electoral Commission handles the process of releasing election results - this is where the tensions will be. however, depending on how the Uganda Electoral Commission will handle the process of releasing election results, this is where the tension will be.

"The Catholic Church has individually taken steps to call for peace in two official statements and has joined other interfaith bodies in calling for peace during and after elections.

"With support from UK aid agency CAFOD, the Catholic Church through the National Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace is also involved in voter mobilisation, voter, and civic education on radio calling for peaceful elections, anti-electoral bribery and anti-corruption messages. With CAFOD's support we have also built up the skills, knowledge and ability of Diocesan Justice and Peace coordinators from the nineteen Catholic dioceses of Uganda, who will act as national election observers.

"People are expected to go and vote, and voter slips are currently being issued to all eligible voters. People are ready to exercise their democratic right."

The Ugandan Catholic Church has issued a Pastoral Letter calling for peace, and a free, fair, and credible election process. Read the letter here: www.uecon.org/news/item/85-a-pastoral-letter-of-the-catholic-bishops-of-uganda-on-the-2021-general-elections