On Monday, while campaigning in Northern Uganda, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Dr Warren Kizza Besigye’s rally was disrupted by people who apparently have no respect for the law.
The disruption that turned chaotic comes hardly two weeks after another confrontation in Ntungamo that pitted supporters of Go Forward candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi against those of National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Yoweri Museveni, providing the worst political altercation since the presidential campaigns began last month.
Without doubt Uganda needs to have a peaceful election and it is the responsibility of every Ugandan of goodwill to ensure that that goal is achieved.
That said however, the arbiter in this contest, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and the candidates that are seeking the highest public office in the country have the greatest responsibility to align and guide the supporters in different camps to exercise a modicum of restraint while in pursuit of their respective candidates’ victory.
Needless to mention therefore, the winner of the 2016 elections will become the President of all Ugandans irrespective of their political affiliations and or, religious creed.
Lastly, Ugandans need to understand that the democracy we seek to be seen to work can only be buttressed by tolerating and respecting divergent opinions.
Merry Christmas.
