Presidential Candidates, Security Agencies should Sign a Peace Pact – Kaheru

Presidential candidates should sign an Election Peace Pact with the objective of securing a peaceful General Election, Chrispin Kaheru and independent elections expert has advised.

Given the escalating circumstances, Kaheru says formal and informal institutions including: the heads of Government organs such as Judiciary, Parliament & the Executive, must quickly act together with other influential non-government actors to: Impress it upon the presidential candidates to take a stand against electoral violence, take a stand against impunity and take a stand against injustice as well as commit to a peaceful election and judicial resolution of electoral disputes. 

The former National Coordinator for Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) says that it is clear that Ugandans can no longer leave the role of ensuring a peaceful election to one or a few institutions.

“This is a shared role. Given the tone that Presidential candidates often set for a general election, it is time we get them to sign a Peace Pact from which the entire country will hold them accountable for their actions or inactions” Kaheru says.

Uganda will on January 14, 2020 go to polls to elect a President. However, presidential campaigns have turned violent on both the opposition and ruling party sides. Many people have lost lives in violent clashes with police and other security organs.

To some people, especially those that have lost loved ones, businesses or been injured during a series of clashes, an Election Peace Pact as suggested by Kaheru may be a great suggestion.