Archbishop of Kampala Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has led Uganda's clergymen is asking the government to postpone next year’s general election for three years.
The Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has called for the Ugandan Constitution to be amended to permit President Yoweri Museveni to continue ruling during the said three years.
Dr Lwanga argues that politicians were violating protocols resulting in a rise in Covid-19 infections and deaths in the East African nation with cases set to spike further after the poll.
"We know the Constitution says if elections are postponed, the Speaker of Parliament takes over government. Article 259 of the Constitution allows Parliament to amend laws. We are asking Parliament to sit down and amend the Constitution to allow President Museveni to continue ruling and guiding the country during the period of three-year postponement of elections," Dr Lwanga said at a media briefing in Uganda.
The cleric was flanked by UJCC deputy executive secretary in charge finance and administration Fr Daniel Musiitwa and deputy executive secretary in charge of programmes Twikirize Lois.
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The clerics lamented on how the Ugandan police were brutalising citizens in opposition rallies.
The Uganda Health Ministry on Tuesday announced 526 new Covid-19 cases as the country’s caseload also rose to 31,910 with a total of 238 people having died from the virus since March.
The Electoral Commission already banned processions and controlled the number of supporters permitted to attend a rally to 200 as part of the government’s efforts to tame the virus.
Political leaders in Uganda have largely ignored Covid-19 regulations in their political campaigns with police using live bullets and teargas against opposition leader Bobi Wine’s supporters.