KAMPALA – A concerned citizen has run to the High Court seeking orders to suspend the 2021 general elections over Coronavirus outbreak.
In his application, Abey Mgugu contends that the deadly virus spreads through close contact with an infected person which puts Uganda at high risk to allow campaigns and elections go on.
“I reasonably believe that based on the nature of how coronavirus spreads, the Ugandan community will not freely exercise their political rights which is a crucial element of democracy due to the restricted movement and association,” reads part of Mgugu’s application before the court.
He added that “I believe the threat of coronavirus will affect election monitoring due to restrictions on immigration that will affect election observers who are necessary in ensuring free and fair elections.”
His notes states that the social, economic and political life of the country is threatened by the spread of the dangerous natural disaster which demands that the court declares a state of health emergency.
According to Mgugu, the forthcoming general elections should be suspended until 2026 when the deadly Coronavirus is dealt with.
On Friday morning, Kenya, which is Uganda’s immediate neighour confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus.
The country’s Minister of Health Mutahi Kagwe said that the virus was confirmed on a female student who entered Kenya from the United States via London, United Kingdom.
The female patient, who has since been quarantined, tested positive on Thursday and had traveled to the United States through the United Kingdom. She arrived in the country on March 5.
Kenyan authorities have since suspended all public gatherings in the country following the confirmation of the first case of coronavirus case.
Mr. Kagwe said all inter-school events and conferences have been cancelled with immediate effect.
