Africa-Press – Uganda. As the country goes through the critical stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has asked the Police to rein in big rallies to safeguard the public from contracting the disease.
The NRM national treasurer, Rose Namayanja, made the call on Sunday while addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Nakasero, Kampala.
“This is the critical stage of the virus and we are worried that several political actors have continued to hold massive rallies unabated. We call on the Police to prevail over them because the pandemic does not discriminate,” Namayanja said.
She bemoaned defiant presidential candidates who have opted to ignore the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) yet they are intended to safeguard the lives of all Ugandans.
Of the 11 presidential candidates, it is only President Yoweri Museveni and Maj. (Gen.) Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance National Transformation that have carried out their campaigns in strict compliance with the guidelines.
On several occasions, security organs have been engaged in running battles with National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Patrick Oboi Amuriat over not adhering to the SOPs.
Minister Kasolo probe
Meanwhile, Namayanja disclosed that the party has asked the Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola, to probe state minister for microfinance Haruna Kasolo over holding mass rallies, contrary to the COVID-19 guidelines.
“The party secretary general, Justine Kasule Lumumba, has since contacted the Police chief to probe him,” Namayanja said.
She, however, revealed that Kasolo said he was inspired by his rivals who are allegedly holding big rallies unabated.
“As you know, two wrongs do not make a right and we ask the Police to handle the matter without favour,” Namayanja said.
Lumumba COVID-19 Positive
Namayanja also disclosed that Lumumba had tested positive for COVID-19, but assured the party supporters that the secretariat operations will go on uninterrupted.
“I appeal to politicians across the political divide to carry out periodic tests of COVID-19 and be open about their status if found positive,” she said.
Door-to-door campaigns
Namayanja said the village-based strategy party campaigns have since kicked off.
“Our village-based strategy is moving on well. We have already distributed the necessary logistics to our mobilisers to ensure that village meetings are conducted as planned,” she said.
Asked whether the village meetings will be effective for the party, Namayanja said: “It is not by accident that we chose a village-based strategy. NRM is the architect of kakuyege (grassroots campaigns).”
