Religious leaders in Northern Uganda under their umbrella body,
Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) are concerned about cases of electoral
and political violence during the campaigns.
The Archbishop of the Gulu Archdiocese John Baptist Odama, also the
Chairperson of ARLPI says that since the campaigns officially started,
there has been a spike in politically motivated violence targeting opposition
politicians, human rights activists and journalists.
Odama called on the authorities in uniform to uphold Uganda’s Constitution
and all relevant laws in agitating for a free and fair election.
He said that all candidates and citizens should be offered equal
treatment irrespective of their political affiliation.
//Cue in: “there should be….
Cue out: …..for the people”//
Archbishop Odama was speaking during a week long peace promotion
tour aimed at curtailing electoral and political violence in the Acholi Sub
Region.
The Acholi District Muslim Khadi Sheikh Musa Khelil castigated the
Electoral Commission for abandoning its mandate. He says that the EC has looked
on as opposition politicians and innocent Ugandans are being harassed by the
security personnel.
Sheikh Khelil asked the commission to fulfill their obligation and guarantee
the rights of all eligible Ugandans to participate in free and fair elections.
