Incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has told members of his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), and opposition politicians, including Patrick Oboi Amuriat of main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) suspension of rallies is not the end.
Uganda is in the middle of campaigns for scientific 2021 elections.
But Amuriat and Bobi Wine have insisted on holding rallies despite the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Electoral Commission (EC) discouraging large gatherings as a measure to prevent the spread of Covid19.
On November 18, police arrested Bobi Wine and Amuriat in Luuka District and Gulu City, respectively, for holding rallies on contravention of MoH guidelines.
MoH has recommended campaign meetings of not more than 200 people.
While Amuriat and Bobi Wine have continued to hold rallies, Museveni has stuck to meetings attended by NRM leaders.
But some of his mobilizers such as singer Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool have held processions to show how popular the incumbent is, at least according to them.
The arrest of Bobi Wine for flouting Covid19 prevention guidelines sparked off protests in which over 30 people were killed.
With Amuriat continuing his campaigns following his release late November 18 night, and Bobi Wine set to resume his on November 23, it remains to be seen if they will desist from holding rallies.
While granting bail to Bobi Wine on November 20, Iganga Magistrate’s Court hinged the singer-turned-politician’s on the centrality of limiting campaign meetings to not more than 200 people as recommended by MoH.
Addressing NRM leaders from Teso sub-regionregion on November 21, Museveni reminded Amuriat, Bobi Wine and other political players that “not having rallies is not the end of the world.”
Now seeking to extend his rule to four decades, Museveni noted that rallies would worsen the Covid19 crisis.
“Gathering large numbers of people in this pandemic period will cause more infections and death,” said Museveni.
“Many have healed from Corona because we still have small manageable numbers, but some have died.”
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