There was so much praise and debate around the ongoing presidential campaigns in the early days as everything went on in a serene manner. The tranquillity was there for all to see as candidates traversed the country peacefully.
Some even argued that it was boring because of the history we all know of past campaigns. Ugandans have witnessed campaign beatings. Realists expect that every election cycle has been marked by violence. Most of the blame is often on the state apparatus.
While the Opposition players have been blamed by state institutions, the images and videos that we all see are of the police and the army brutalising citizens.
The serenity of September has given way to a cloud of tear gas and beatings of citizens, especially at campaign events organised by Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate. It has happened in Kawempe Division (Kampala), Kayunga, Buikwe, Mukono, Wakiso and Luweero. A one Meshach Okello was killed in Iganga.
Several more have been arrested over the course of the campaign. Saturday’s events in the northern Uganda district of Gulu have touched a new peak as a group of people waylaid Mr Kyagulanyi”s team. What followed was bloodshed that saw many injured.
NTV Uganda, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group Uganda, broadcast videos of soldiers beating people. Most of those who were battered surrounded Mr Kyagulanyi to prevent him from being assaulted. The crime that NUP has been accused of is holding processions that are banned by the Electoral Commission.
These beatings, however, benefit no one. The Ugandan authorities should immediately end all forms of harassment and intimidation of journalists, Opposition supporters, and leaders. Instead, the authorities should protect rights, including freedom of movement, and ensure respect for the rule of law. If any laws have been broken by Mr Kyagulanyi, the EC should take charge and not let sticks held by the police and the army run the show.
Ugandan security forces should abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which require law enforcement officials to apply non-violent means and to use force only when strictly unavoidable to protect life.
The principles also require governments to ensure arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by its officials is punished as a criminal offence under national law.
Uganda is gradually recovering from decades of political unrest and internal conflict. In 1995, the country promulgated a new constitution as a foundation for constitutional governance.
Political violence and conflict in the country’s history are not necessarily limited to elections. Much of Uganda’s post-independence history did not feature any elections.
From 1962 to 1980 there were no elections but conflicts and violence were still prevalent. We must all take a step back and respect the law to stop electoral violence.