Uganda’s Independent Electoral Commission boss Justice Simon Byabakama has said that the violence witnessed during the NRM primaries was regrettable. Byabakama stated that violence undermines democracy as it’s a total dead end that benefits nobody.
“The outcome of an election is not determined by how many heads or hands have been broken, or how much blood has been spilt. It’s determined on the polling station by what it is cast in the ballot box,” said Justice Byabakama while addressing guests at the commemoration of the International Day of Democracy at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
According to Byabakama, the EC has as its goal, to promote participatory democracy and good governance for the country’s prosperity, by organizing regular free, fair and transparent elections and referenda, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
Byakabama believes that even the current COVID-19 will not stop them from organising a credible election.
“The Electoral Commission has accordingly, considered the risks posed by COVID-19, and has designed measures (SOPs) to prioritise the health and safety of all stakeholders in the electoral process, before, during and after the electoral process,” he said.