“Bobi Wine get tested for Covid-19 or miss nomination”, EC Chairman Byabakama

The Electoral Commission on Thursday issued fresh warnings tasking NUP presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine and others to at least make a covid test 72 hours before nomination.

The EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama on Thursday told the media that aspirants will be allowed to move with strictly nine people to avoid crowding the nomination venue. Byabakama added all the groups that will be allowed in the nomination venue must present a certificate reflecting negative COVID-19 tests 72 hours before the nomination date.

This alone has invited an outcry from activists who perceive it to be a discrimination tendency against the sick. Activists argue that by halting the nomination of Covid positive candidates, the EC is directly promoting stigmatisation and incriminating the sick. “This should be challenged in courts. It is a direct attack on the sick,” says Alex Oketcho, an activist. “Falling sick does not mean I cannot lead my people. My ailment can’t be used against me,” he adds.

Byabakama insists that all people accompanying a presidential candidate must be known in advance and a list must be submitted before the arrival of the entourage. “The particulars of the persons accompanying the aspirant shall be submitted to the Commission in advance and all the persons accompanying the aspiring candidate must have 72-hour polymerase chain reaction negative test for coronavirus, which will be taken at our cost,” Byabakama said.

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