The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) , an umbrella body of civic society organisations in Zimbabwe is calling for peace and restraint ahead of the Ugandan Presidential elections slated for January 14, 2021.
The coalition implored Ugandan authorities to desist from the use of force against civilians.
It is 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.
Over 800 people have also been arrested in connection with the protests amid suspicion by the opposition that Uganda’s ruling party is abusing the Covid-19 regulations to stifle opposition party campaigns ahead of the January elections.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said it firmly stands by the fact that peaceful processes are a panacea to free, fair and credible elections hence its condemnation of the brutal crackdown on opposition leaders and supporters ahead of the Ugandan elections.
CiZC called upon the Ugandan opposition to observing the law ahead of the January elections but stands 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.
They argued the situation unfolding in Uganda mirrors the general trend across the African continent and it is of huge concern that of late, elections in Africa have mostly been characterised by violence and loss of lives with opposition party supporters being the major victims while ruling parties, with the assistance of the police and military, have been the major culprits.
“We reiterate our call for intervention by the African Union (AU) as well as the international community in ensuring that peace prevails before, during and after the January 2021 elections in Uganda.
The current events unfolding in Uganda can only point to an election with predetermined outcomes and one that will ultimately fail the credibility test. As Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we further call for people to people solidarity across the African continent in ensuring respect for human life as well as free, fair, and credible elections in Uganda,” CiZC added.