By Jumah Kakomo
The minister for justice and constitutional affairs and the opposition Democratic Party (DP) President General Norbert Mao says they are working to introduce an electronic system of voting to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
Addressing the media at party headquarters Kampala during its weekly presser on 26th September 2023, Mao noted that election rigging and malpractices have greatly led many Ugandans to lose hope of the future of the country thus putting her at stake.
He says in case people complain about vote rigging, this system could be used to audit the whole process of elections to solve the problem amicably and the proposal is already in cabinet and parliament.
“Electronic voting system could eliminate vote rigging if it’s introduced in the country because it helps to keep data in the system that could be used to audit, “Mao said.
He adds that Uganda as a country needs peaceful transition of power and that is why democratic party made a cooperation working agreement with the ruling NRM Government.
“One of the ways to get a peaceful transition is through elections and dialogue if an opportunity comes around, and that is why DP tried to liaise with other opposition political parties but all was putting a drop to an Ocean, “Mao stated.
He adds that he has already liaised with NIRA, Electoral Commission and other line government agencies and departments to push forward this idea to those concerned to ensure that it is materialized.
However, Mao rallied other political parties to get united to ensure that power is transited peacefully without bloodshed.
“That is why DP has embarked on building leadership through its youth wing (Uganda Young Democrats) as a measure to build DP politicians of tomorrow,” Mao added.
Mao also urged security operatives and KCCA law enforcement officers to act professionally as a way of avoiding tarnishing the image of the country. He says security operatives, specifically police, act unlawfully that destroys their professionalism.
“I appeal to all security operatives to act professionally because nobody is above the law, “Mao noted.
Meanwhile Mao advised Ugandans to trash Ugandans in Diaspora who have become a common nuisance on social media humiliating others with a purpose of serving their interests despite having genuine ones who are patriotic.
“We know the problems of these people (bloggers) most of them work in mortuaries where they have nobody to talk to, so they have to talk themselves on social media attacking each and everybody, “Mao stated.
