The Electoral Commission (EC) has called upon the foreign investors from various countries to be at the forefront of ensuring that peace prevails before, during, and after next year’s General Election, because it is key to the continuity of their businesses.
While addressing investors during the Beyond the Ballot CEO Breakfast in Kampala on November 6, the EC spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, said that the business community is always the first victim of any violent election, which calls for their endless input in ensuring that the process is not a do-or-die.
‘Investors have an influence, and we therefore call upon them to rally their workers and partners to engage in a peaceful election because we aim to see people go vote and return to their businesses peacefully. We don’t want people to hoard food, fly out of the country, such messages create a perception that there is no danger, and we have learned that we need continuity and peace,’ he said.
He added, ‘Say no to violence because we don’t have a substitute for peace. An election should come and go, but leave us united as it has found us, and that is why the Electoral Commission is deliberate in providing accurate information. We are trying our best not to do anything that can make people go violent.’
The development comes barely a month after eight presidential candidates who were nominated on September 22 and 23, embarked on traversing the whole country seeking to be elected in the January 15 polls.
They include the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is seeking the seventh elective term, his closest 2021 challenger Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, and former army chief Maj Gen (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Others in the race are: Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party, Frank Bulira Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), Elton John Mabirizi of the Conservative Party, and Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party.
Mr Mucungunzi commended the candidates and all other stakeholders for engaging in a peaceful campaign so far and prayed that the same be exhibited even during and after the polls.
Foreign investors gathered in Kampala to discuss the mechanism on how their businesses can survive and benefit from the election and the new government during the Beyond the Ballot CEO Breakfast that was organized by different partners, including the American Chamber of Commerce of Uganda (AmCham Uganda), French Chamber of Commerce Uganda, British Chamber of Commerce Uganda, and the Netherlands Uganda Trade and Investment Platform.
In his keynote address, Mr Rajesh Kumar Ag, Chairman of the Indian Business Forum, emphasized the importance of combating disinformation, misinformation around the election news for security purposes and peace.
‘Verify every information you receive before you share because there is a lot of fake news during election time. But as businesses, of course, you will be impacted, but resilience keeps you going. For security purposes, it’s important to focus on city growth and development, not just living and physical safety, but also information security. I hope this applies especially to those who have access to the internet,’ he said.
Mr Kumar called upon the business communities to scrutinise the manifestos of different presidential candidates and see how they will benefit from the new government.
‘When you look at one of the political parties’ manifestos, it starts with social and economic progress. It says, ‘We’ve made progress so far, and we need to continue what’s been done right for another five years.’ Get manifestos and identify the opportunities for your business. Map out these opportunities and analyse how your business could benefit from upcoming government policies,’ he said.
Ms Meg Jaquay, a business leader and the former AmCham Uganda President, said, ‘For my food business, the last election and COVID didn’t disrupt operations because I focused on delivering services. Precautions include extra generator fuel, SMS lists for staff, and staff living on-site. Optimism and preparation are key.’
Mr Patrick Joram Mugisha, the Commissioner for Business Development at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said.
‘There has been a disconnect in the past between chambers of commerce and the ministry. Currently, the private sector isn’t involved in drafting national trade policies. We are starting the process to revise two key policies: the National Energy Policy (2015) and the National Standards and Quality Policy (2012). Businesses should engage early to influence these policies.
He further pledged that the ministry will improve inclusion in terms of accommodating the views of chambers during policy formulation.