Dr Joseph Serwadda. COURTESY PHOTO.
Dr Serwadda cautions against poll violence
https://www.ugchristiannews.com/dr-serwadda-cautions-against-poll-violence/
January 4, 2021
Church leader believes peace and order should be in the interest of every citizen.
By Male Marvin
As clashes continue in various parts of the country over restricted electoral campaign rallies, Dr Joseph Serwadda has cautioned Christians against joining groups that are “bent on hooliganism and violence” emphasizing that “we need to elect our leaders in peace.”
The founder of Victory Christian Centre Church – Ndeeba stated on Thursday that very Ugandan must be protective and mindful of the peace and security of the country.
“It does not cost you anything to obey the law. Do not be party to violence. Do not join a group that is bent on hooliganism. Do not be party to a group that wants to spill peoples blood,” he said.
Voters in Uganda are set to go to the polls on 14 January 2021 to elect a president, Members of Parliament and local council leaders.
As this website reported, the last few months of the campaign period have been characterized by killings, beatings and violent dispersal of most especially opposition leaders, their supporters and journalists using teargas, pepper spray, rubber and live bullets.
“There is this stupid understanding that when you hold a rally, and you cause commotion, and people are injured, and others killed, that that is political capital,” Dr Serwadda said. “The people you want to vote for you must be alive on the day of voting, not dead.”
“We know that only one will become president, the rest of them will lose this election. It is a fact. And, we encourage candidates, if you lose an election, and you think they cheated, go to court,” he said.
He cautioned both citizens and security agents against provoking one another, adding that on the day of elections, voters should keep away from the polling station once their ballot has been cast.
“Wait for the day of elections, cast your vote, go home. It is not your duty to guard that vote. Every candidate has agents. They have people who will guard their votes,” Dr Serwadda said.
Dr Serwadda who is also the presiding Apostle of the Born-again Faith urged that citizens must continue to play their role in helping combat the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
“COVID-19 is a mass killer and in Uganda, and had it not been for the Lord, we would have lost more people than we have so far. I therefore encourage each one of you to take politics out of the COVID-19,” he said.
“We need to observe the four (4) SOPs that the government put in place: Wash your hands regularly. You need to sanitize your hands every now and then. Make sure that you wear your mask at all times when you are in a public place. Keep a distance,” he added. “I would want to encourage you to know that COVID-19 is a disease without political connotations whatsoever. But it is also avoidable. Don’t go to a place where you doubt your security and your safety,” he said.