Forum For Democratic Change presidential Candidate Rtd Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has implored the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) to remain non-partisan as the country heads to the polls. Besigye who was addressing a press conference at his Kasangati residence said that the UPDF has a unique and critical role to ensure that Uganda gets a peaceful transition from the current regime.
Uganda is bigger than the Commander –In-Chief of the UPDF and he is supposed to respect the constitution of Uganda. The army should remain non-partisan because there can be disastrous consequences if it fails to observe it’s mandate, Besigye stated.
Besigye noted that every regime since the post-independence era has been coming with it’s military which according to him has set a bad precedence for Uganda.
Every Regime in Uganda has been coming with it’s military. The Uganda Army, Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) and now we have the UPDF which should avoid being dragged into anarchy, Besigye noted.
Besigye also implored the election observer missions including EAC, AU and the International Community to ensure that Thursday’s polls are free, fair and transparent instead of standing by and issuing Luke warm statements.
He noted that the regime’s dirty tricks against it’s opponents are a recipe for disaster. He appealed to all the observer missions to actively the regime’s high-handed threats which can trigger instability and civil unrest in the region.
On the role of crime preventers Besigye issued a warning to the police to ensure that they aren’t used in electoral malpractices such as ballot staffing. Besigye also sounded a warning to Electoral Commission to avoid interfering with parallel tally centers adding that in the previous elections the Electoral Commission has raided and closed down tally centers.
He stressed that the youth stakes are high in this election because they have got a raw deal from the NRM Regime.
The youth have received our defiance campaign message because they have got a raw deal from the NRM Regime. We received enthusiastic crowds during our campaigns and this has caused panic in the No-change camp, Besigye added.
He continued:
Dr. Kiggundu should desist from making partisan statements which are outrageous and unbecoming of the EC Chairman.
He also defied the Electoral Commission stand on banning phones and cameras at the polling stations. Besigye rallied his supporters to turn up in millions to cast their vote in addition to recording and taking pictures of all occurrences and results at the polling stations and promptly share them.
Mobile phones with cameras will be a great deterrent to those who want to rig. Every Ugandan should carry their mobile phones and use them at the polling stations because Dr. Kiggundu has no powers to rule by decree in press conferences, he (Dr. Kiggundu) has no powers to ban Mobile phones at the polling stations, he maintained.
He continued:
Don’t be afraid mobilize everybody to go and vote because Ugandans have made up their mind and are yearning for change. We as the FDC are committed to a true democracy and constitutionalism. Our government will ensure peace, stability and territorial integrity and we have also promised to create a broad based government and all patriotic Ugandans will be called upon to serve with no discrimination.
Besigye paid tribute to Dan Musisi who lost his life after he was shot and killed during Monday’s fracas in Wandegeya. He declared the deceased as a hero of the liberation struggle.
