De Dissident #14: The 2021 Ugandan General Elections

On the eve of the Ugandan General Elections, WorldTalks is organizing a live discussion with four bright minds from Uganda. They will give you the latest insights with regard to the local and national elections, the impact that the current situation has had on the LGBTQ+ community, the case against president Yoweri Museveni, and the perspective of the young generations. You will hear about current events in Uganda from those who are protesting against its system and aim to change it and make it more just.

The event will take place on Zoom and you will get the opportunity to ask the guest speakers any question you want! The event starts at 20:00, each guest speaker will talk about their personal experiences, and their professional insights on the elections and related events.

The guest speakers will be announced shortly.

About the 2021 elections in Uganda

On January 14th 2021, the Ugandan General Elections will be held to elect the President, the Parliament, and the local government representatives. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is facing a challenge from 11 candidates, amongst them a young musician known as Bobi Wine. The young urban and poor population have never had such an influential role in Ugandas politics more than today. More than 75% of Uganda’s population are under 30, and Bobi Wine’s  run for office has excited young Ugandans who want a different future.

However public support for Bobi can make you a target, with police regularly using tear gas and even live bullets to break up opposition events. The campaign has already been marked by the worst political violence in Uganda for decades, with more than 50 people shot dead by security forces over two days of protests that followed Bobi Wine’s arrest in November.

The Ugandan authorities have justified the use of force as necessary to ensure compliance with measures to contain COVID-19. However, there is evidence Ugandan law is being used disproportionately to restrict opposition gatherings. While it is reasonable that the Ugandan authorities, like others elsewhere around the world, should take measure to halt the further spread of COVID-19, it is apparent that in Uganda, COVID-19 regulations have been weaponized and disproportionately applied to the opposition as pretext for political repression and to restrict their activities, and their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

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https://www.linkedin.com/events/theugandanelections-worldtalksl6745726585762066432/ 

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