Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ) has urged the authorities in Uganda to exercise restraint ahead of the country’s January 2021 presidential elections.

Violence erupted in Uganda after presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, was arrested for allegedly defying Covid-19 regulations when he held a campaign rally on 18 November.

Ugandan’s next presidential election is scheduled to hold on 14 January, 2021.

CiCZ, in a statement, expressed concern as clashes have claimed more than 50 lives.

‘We further implore Ugandan authorities to desist from the use of force against civilians’, the statement read.

‘As CiZC, we are deeply concerned with the recent acts of brutality by the police and the army which led to the death of about 50 people following protests that erupted after the arrest of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) who was arrested for allegedly defying Covid-19 regulations during a campaign rally in Luuka on November 18, 2020.

‘As crisis in Zimbabwe coalition, we firmly stand by the fact that peaceful processes are a panacea to free, fair and credible elections, hence, we condemn the brutal crackdown on opposition leaders and supporters ahead of the Ugandan elections.

‘We also would like to call upon the Ugandan opposition to observe the law ahead of the January elections but we stand firm on the fact that the brutality by the police and the military which led to the shooting of about 50 civilians has no place in a modern democracy’.

The coalition called on the African Union (AU) to ensure that peace prevails before, during, and after the January 2021 elections in the country.

Source: 263 Chat

Photo source: Commonwealth Secretariat