Mukula: Why Government Won't Suspend 2021 Elections

Capt Mike Mukula, the NRM Vice chairperson for Eastern region has explained the position of the NRM ruling Party in regards to the outcry of the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) to have 2021 elections postponed. 

Last week, the religious council led by Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga asked government to postpone presidential elections for three years.

They also demanded that Parliament amends the Constitution to extend President Yoweri Museveni's term to three years amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

However, while meeting the NRM District Executive Committee (DEC) of Bududa District at Bukhigai Constituency on Wednesday, Capt Mukula said that it is "impossible" for the NRM government to suspend elections with only two weeks left because it is far expensive to amend the constitution to extend the term of the president and that the process would be more deadly in terms of COVID-19 infections since it would involve voting by a Referendum and open consultations. 

"We respect the opinion of religious leaders, but to extend term of President even for one day is not possible. Article 105 of Constitution is entrenched. If you want to do what they (religious leaders) propose then we must go into another referendum. It will need consultation with the people which means you must go through a proper campaign which we are doing right now," Mukula said. 

"This will still expose the population to the fears (of COVID-19) that we are having now. Above all, it will also trigger exorbitant expenditures. We have already spent over Shs1trillion for this election, so it means we shall need another Shs1trillion for the Referendum then after 3 years we look for another Shs1trillion for elections. We would have wasted resources which the country needs."

Mukula urged the public to remain alert and continue observing the Ministry of Health guidelines for the next two weeks to the polls to avoid more infections. 

"We can try to ensure that we avoid more infections but we should not take away the power of the people on who rules the country in the next 5years. Also, extending elections will make some people think that Museveni is panicking and fears elections. This will cause political turmoil. So we will hold elections and this is our position as the ruling party," he said. 

He told the people of Bududa that their Party has capacity and structures to comfortably win the forthcoming elections. 

"All these other political parties don't have capacity to win. What can UPC do when they have not even fielded a presidential candidate? JEEMA has only one MP in Parliament, DP has  about 14 and FDC which had 36 MPs has split. Now, there is this NUP party whose presidential flagbearer (Robert Kyagulanyi) has not even spent 3years in Parliament. We are going to defeat all of them," he said. 

He urged the NRM District leadership to continue mobilizing and campaigning for President Museveni and all party flagbearers for the peace, stability and development that has been achieved in the last 34 years. 

The former Minister added that in the next 5years, NRM government will concentrate on five core issues; poverty reduction, youth unemployment, corruption, ensure equitable distribution of resources and achieve East African political integration. 

NRM Chairperson for Bududa District, Steven Wakyaya said that they regret voting John Baptist Nambeshe as MP for Manjiya County. Nambeshe was voted in 2016 under the NRM ticket, but turned "rebellious" and joined Kyagulanyi's National Unity Platform. 

"We regret voting Nambeshe who betrayed us and joined NUP. We now feel marginalised, so we have decided to unseat Nambeshe," Wakyaya said, adding that their biggest request is for the NRM government to construct Bududa circular road, provide clean and safe water and extend rural electrification program to all areas. 

Mukula emphasized that socio-economic challenges of road infrastructure, water, health care in Bududa has been given a priority in the NRM Manifesto. He advised them to vote wisely and send to Parliament good MPs who will bring these services closer to the people. 

"People of Manjiya vote correctly. If you vote wrongly then in the next 5years, you will remain the same. Government is not food, but services. You voted Nambeshe and he became lucifer. He was an angel but he turned into a devil. A good shepherd is the one who leaves 99 sheep and looks for one sheep. Now I have come to look for the one lost sheep of Manjiya," Mukula said. 

Mukula later held rallies in Bushiiyi Subcounty and Busika Subcounty in Manjiya County. He also officially received about 50 ringleaders of NUP and MP Nambeshe, who have now returned to NRM.