Opposition politicians in Entebbe have criticized the tearing down of their posters, allegedly by soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The group, which includes members from several opposition parties, mostly NUP members claims that the move aimed at creating the false inmpression that the opposition has little support in the area.
According to Lilliane Babirye, who is seeking to contest for the Member of Parliament position on the NUP ticket, the soldiers are allegedly hired by members of the ruling party – National Resistance Movement (NRM) to remove opposition candidates’ posters in Entebbe.
“We are reliably informed that the military, in connivance with the NRM, are removing our posters. Our posters are put up in the evening, and the following day, they a removed. You’re using military trucks to come and remove our posters,” she noted.
In addition, Babirye remarked that this is breaking the law, saying, “It is depriving us of our freedom. We are all Ugandans who must have equal respect and equal political rights.”
In response to this act, the opposition leaders launched the “Hands Off My Posters” campaign to protest the removal of their posters by security, and also warned to stage a peaceful demonstration if authorities fail to act against those responsible.
“Youre trying to put an image out there, and to people arriving in the country, that NRM is the only party existing in Entebbe, which istotally wrong, yet you remove our posters that we have pinned across the municipality,” Babirye said.
She further warned that they will beforced to deface posters of NRM candidates if the army allegedly doesn’t desist from removing the posters.
“We are going to rally the people of Entebbe to pick tins of paint and paint all your posters black if this vice does not stop. Men in uniform should not get involved in partisan politics. Why are you leaving your roles and looking out for our posters?” she said.
Ronald Kalema, the Katabi Town Council chairperson, condemned this act, saying, “The military should focus on its role as peacekeepers, not enforcers of political bias.”
He also asked the Electoral Commission to ensure equity and provide all candidates a fair platform.
Other members included John Mugabi the aspiring Division B chairman, who noted that an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Felix Kulayigye, the Director of Defence Public Information (DDPI), when asked about the act, explained that the soldiers are not too foolish to use military trucks for illegal acts.
“Why do soldiers remove those posters, for what reason? That is politicking and besides, there’s no order on that,” he said.
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