Archbishop Odama calls for non-violence ahead of 2021 elections

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu Catholic Archbishop John Baptist Odama has called for a violent free election as campaigns for the 2021 general polls kicks off.

His message comes on the backdrop of security intimidation and brutality against members of the opposition political party leaders and their supporters as witnessed after presidential nominations last week.

Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform party presidential aspirant and the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat along with some of their supporters fell victim to police and army high handedness before and after their nominations by the Electoral Commission.

Speaking to Uganda Radio Network in an interview, Archbishop Odama says the police should keep law and order instead of promoting intimidation that creates insecurity and violation.

Archbishop Odama says the political ground should be levelled for free participation citing that the citizens are the owners of the country who should be left with the privilege to elect their leaders.

A total of 11 presidential candidates have been nominated to contest for the presidency by the electoral commission in an exercise conducted last week at Kyambogo University cricket ground.

The Electoral Commission set November 9th to January 12th, 2021 as campaign periods for presidential candidates and Members of Parliament with elections set to be held on January 14th.

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