The general public will not be allowed at the veneus for presidential candidates’ nominations, the Minister of ICT and NG, Ms. Judith Nabakoba has said.
The presidential candidates’ nominations will be carried tomorrow and on Tuesday at Kololo and Kyambogo grounds respectively . So far 10 presidential candidates including the incumbent Gen. Yoweri Museveni have been cleared by the Electoral Commission to contest for the highest office in the land- in what will be a largely scientific 2021 general elections to avoid the spread of the deadlu coronavirus.
Nabakooba, in her weekly media briefing , explained that the number of people that will be allowed at the nomination venues has been restricted in order to comply with the existing Standard Operating Procedures against COVID-19.
“Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone disobeying the guidelines. We have noticed some candidates mobilizing their supporters to turn up in big numbers. This is wrong and I call upon the general public to disregard such messages, “she said .
The Minister called upon the general public to support the Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure that the elections are peaceful. “The security agencies led by the Uganda Police are going to be extra vigilant in enforcing the laid down procedures. After the Nominations every candidate will have the opportunity to put forward their manifesto.”
Curfew imposed
Police has set up tough measures including a day time curfew and will cutoff major roads to the Central Business District Kampala to stop any acts of hooliganism and violence .
Motorists will be diverted at Spear Motors (IOV), Banda Trading Centre, Kireka Trading Centre, Kigobe Road at National Council of Higher Education and Jokas Hotel. Other motorists heading to Jinja from Kampala can also access through; Old Port bell Road, Spring Road via Kireka Road to Kinawataka and join Kampala Jinja Highway at Bweyogerere Trading Centre.
“New Port bell Road Nakawa, Chwa Il Road, Kinawataka, Jokas Hotel and join Kampala – Jinja Highway at Bweyogerere Trading Centre. New Port bell Road, Ismail Road or Via Kireka Road to Kinawataka Road and join Kamapala – Jinja Highway at Bweyogerere Trading Centre,” a detailed traffic flow plan released by the Mr. Norman Musinga, the Kampala Metropolitan traffic police commander, shows.
According to Mugisha ,Kyambogo Cricket Ground (Presidential Nomination Center) will only be accessible to Presidential Aspirants, their recommended number of people accredited by Electoral Commission and Electoral Commission Officials.
The accredited VIPs will access the Nomination Centre through Kyambogo Road, Kyambogo University Western gate and park as will be directed by Traffic Police.
“ Access to Kyambogo University will be restricted to only accredited persons. There will be no access to other motorists intending to use the Kampala — Jinja Highway between Spear Motors and Kireka Trading Centre except members of Electoral Commission, Presidential Aspirants, Service Vehicles, Emergency Vehicles and Security Vehicles.
Emergency vehicles (Fire brigade, Ambulances and Medical Team) will access the venue through Banda,” according to the police’s traffic plan.
The eastern gate will be the exit route for emergency vehicles. The Aspirants will exit through Kyambogo University, Faculty of Engineering and join Kigobe Road at National Council of Higher Education.
