Uganda’s biggest opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has vowed to defy the Electoral Commission (EC) regulations on elections.
Following his arrest yesterday as he held a meeting with special interest groups in Kasokoso, Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament who also doubles as the FDC Party Spokesperson Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda said they cannot allow digital meetings and campaigns because they compromise the quality of elections. He said the regulations have the effect of overthrowing multiparty democracy.
“Even if they were passed by Parliament, the FDC shall not abide by these regulations which are unconstitutional. We don’t need regulations to uphold internal democracy in FDC,” Ssemujju said.
Ssemujju revealed that as FDC they don’t have the technology to hold virtual meetings.
“If NRM has the technology, let them hold virtual meetings. As FDC, the procedures and processes of candidate identification and selection are well laid out in our constitution,” he said.
He said even during campaigns, FDC candidates will hold normal meetings and rallies while observing the set Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).