The race to determine who will represent Ugandans in Parliament and local councils for the next five years has officially begun, with thousands vying for these highly sought-after positions.
With lucrative salaries for legislators and influential roles for local councillors, the elections have become a high-stakes affair. In response, the Electoral Commission has issued strict guidelines outlining what candidates must do-and what they must avoid-during the campaign period.
‘Subject to the Constitution and this Act, the Commission may determine the manner and the period during which campaigns shall take place and shall publish that information in the Gazette and forward a copy to each Returning O?cer,’ reads a public notice issued to both parliamentary and local council candidates.
According to the Commission, each candidate must submit their campaign programme to the returning officer, who will ensure that campaign meetings do not overlap within the same parish.
‘Candidates and/or their agents shall ensure that campaigns are carried out between 7am and 6pm on each of the campaign days,’ the Commission states.
Campaign meetings are only permitted after the nomination period ends and must not be held within 24 hours of polling day. The Commission affirms that candidates must be given reasonable access to state-owned communication media. Subject to other laws, candidates may publish campaign materials, such as books, booklets, pamphlets, leaflets, magazines, newspapers, or posters, to solicit votes. These materials must clearly identify the candidate (s) involved.
Don’ts
The Commission cautions that no person shall use language during campaigns that incites public disorder, insurrection, violence, or war; nor language that is defamatory, insulting, or promotes hatred. While candidates may use private electronic media for their campaigns, they are prohibited from using it to decampaign others. ‘In particular, the following acts are prohibited:
Making statements which are false-knowing them to be false, or in respect of which the maker is reckless whether they are true or false; making malicious statements; making statements containing sectarian words or innuendoes; making abusive, insulting or derogatory statements; making exaggerations or using caricatures of the candidate or using words of ridicule; using derisive or mudslinging words against a candidate; or using songs, poems and images with any of the e?ects described in the foregoing paragraphs,’ the statement says.
‘The proprietor or operator of a private electronic media shall not use the media or allow it to be used to do any of the acts prohibited above,’ the guideline further states. The Commission also warns against sectarian campaigning. Candidates who use symbols or colours with tribal or religious affiliations-or any sectarian connotation-as the basis of their candidacy or campaign will face punishment. Additionally, candidates are prohibited from using government resources for campaign purposes unless explicitly authorised by law.
‘A person who contravenes any provisions commits an o?ence and is liable on conviction to a ?ne or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both,’ the notice adds.
Strict anti-bribery rules have been outlined. Any candidate or agent who offers money or gifts to influence voting outcomes commits an offence and is liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Likewise, any person who accepts such inducements also commits an offence under the same provision.
Using inflammatory or defamatory language during campaigns is also punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.