EC, police issue guidelines for Bobi Wine consultative meetings

The Electoral Commission has so far cleared three Presidential aspirants, including Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, to start countrywide consultations ahead of the 2021 elections.
The other two Joseph Mwambazi and yet to be identified female candidate.
However, the electoral commission chairman Justice Simon Byabakama warned the aspirants to desist from turning the consultative meetings into campaign rallies or processions.
The consulting parties are also required to furnish the police with EC clearance and notification for security purposes.
“Joseph Mwambazi who signed as Independent presidential aspirant communicated to us on November 11, 2019. We responded to him on November 26 informing him of the Dos and Don'ts of consultation,” Justice Byabakama said before adding that the aspirants are supposed to follow the EC guidelines as well as follow the Presidential Elections Act.

"When you consult, you convene a meeting in a secluded place. It does not mean you hold processions and public rallies,” the EC chairman added.
However, police spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga said the spirants will be required to follow the provisions of the Public Order Management Act (POMA).
“The provisions of the Public Order Management Act still stand. They have to inform the local authorities and police about the venue and number of people to attend their meetings,” Mr Enanga said in an interview with NTV.
People Power movement confirmed receipt of the clearance letter part of which states that:“We urge you to desist from holding rallies, campaigns and carrying out processions on public roads under the guise of conducting consultative meetings as this would totally be contrary to the objectives of consultations envisaged under section three of the Presidential Elections Act of 2005.”
People Power spokesperson, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi said they were ready to abide by the guidelines.

"We are law abiding and we're going to follow the law to the latter. The local authorities and police will be informed in good time such that our activities are not disrupted,” he said.
Mr Kyagulanyi's People Power movement appointed a mobilisation team in July this year.
The 37-year-old singer-cum politician has already declared his intention to challenge Mr Museveni, 75, who has been in power for 33 years come 2021 elections.