Uganda’s two-day presidential debate scheduled to commence on 4 December 2020 has been indefinitely called off by the organizers, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU).
The IRCU points out that unforeseen constraints such as the Covid-19 pandemic and limited resources have led to the suspension of the much-anticipated event.
The cancellation was announced on Wednesday during a meeting by the council and police bosses to discuss the poor treatment accorded to opposition candidates as they carry out their campaigns.
According to the council’s previous plans, the debate’s first session was to be among five candidates, with the remaining six to debate on the following day. Similar debates were also expected in selected constituencies between the respective aspirants of the parliamentary seats.
The purpose of the debate was to create a platform for all aspirants to expound on their manifestos as they woo the support of Ugandans in the forthcoming elections.
However, the leadership of the Council indicated that there is still hope for the debate once the constraints are resolved. The Council’s spokesperson, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, said that although they didn’t have money at the moment, time to hold the debate has not yet lapsed.
Uganda’s campaign atmosphere is still tense for the opposition candidates trying to win over voters before the election slates for 14 January 2021.
Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, had on Tuesday canceled his campaigns following a clash with the police that left several of his campaign team members wounded, his music producer shot in the mouth, and his windscreen shattered.
On Wednesday, Bobi went to the Electoral Commission concerning the brutal treatment and to ask the commission to ensure equitable campaigns.
54 people were killed last month during the riots that erupted after the detention of Bobi under the allegations that he had violated the Covid-19 campaign guidelines.
The debate was the perfect platform to discuss the campaigns marred with violence. Police brutality and check of power could have also made it to the debate’s pressing topics list.
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