KAMPALA – The Democratic Party (DP) bloc has called for the boycott of the 2021 general election by all opposition political parties in protest against brutality against opposition figures by security operatives and lack of a levelled political field.
DP President General Norbert Mao said whereas he has often been advocating for the opposition participation in elections despite the many injustices, the increasing brutality means this is no longer possible.
“I have always been thinking that we should always participate in election but I don’t think the problem of Uganda will be solved through election. I am convinced more than ever that election will not solve the problem. We have a big political problem that we must deal with it politically,” Mr Mao told journalists in Kampala on Tuesday, November 5.
“There is no reason for us to participate in a game that does not offer Ugandans an option. maybe we shall do what the Congolese did to Kabila. They left Kabila alone to contest and thereafter he realised that actually if you are running alone then the all thing is bogus,” he added.
The DP leader was referring to the Monday brutal arrest of Dr Kizza Besigye by police, who baldy smashed his vehicle as they sprayed water cannons, teargas and paper spray before they arrested him.
“What I saw was terrible. There is no way you can run politics like that. There was no need to throw water at Col. Kizza Besigye if he was not quick, it was going to break his neck,” Mr Mao said.
He said that Uganda’s political problems require leaders who want change and think bigger than one’s individual ambition. He said Uganda does not need police officers who don’t care about the life of other people and the kind of action that was exhibited by force is recklessness of the highest order.
