A notice circulating on Facebook claims to be inviting Ugandan citizens to register as voters ahead of the January 14, 2021, general elections.
The notice that has been shared by various Facebook users further alleges that registration of voters is apparently open from November 21 to December 11, 2020. In some of these posts, Ugandans are even told: “This information is not being publicised by the Government so many can lose out”.
Background
The Ugandan Electoral Commission declared January 14, 2021, as the appointed date for the general elections.
A statement from the Commission’s chairperson, Byabakama Mugenyi, shows that 10 other presidential aspirants were cleared to vie against the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni who has led the country for 35 years.
The Commission gave the candidates from November 9, 2020, to January 12, 2021, to campaign. However, the campaigns have been marred by protests and chaos which broke out after presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi and Patrick Amuriat were arrested on November 18. Government officials claim that Mr Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, was arrested for failing to comply with the electoral commission’s guidelines on campaigning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We continue to appeal to all candidates to refrain from holding processions and rallies during this campaign period to prevent further spread of #Coronavirus.
Campaign venues must be provided with handwashing facilities & sanitizers. Wear masks before you access/exit the venue https://t.co/ABRXa5HQ6O
— Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) November 11, 2020
Social campaigns, including Twitter hashtags such as #EndPoliceBrutalityinUganda and #WeAreRemovingADictator were started to protest Bobi Wine’s arrest and how police treated the protestors.
Piga Firimbi has recently looked into false images claiming to portray police brutality during this protest.
Verification
The notice regarding voter registration has not been communicated on any official government platform. The Electoral Commission’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, which have routinely updated citizens regarding the 2021 elections, do not contain any communication that voters would be registered until December 11, 2020.
On the contrary, the Commission had issued a statement announcing that the process of registering voters for the 2021 general elections ended on December 23, 2019, after the deadline was extended from December 11.
The claim that the government does not publicise information about voter registration is also false since the Commission shared registration dates on Twitter, Facebook and on its website.
@jktaremwa: Those are who not registered voters can utilize these remaining two days to go register themselves at their respective parishes to be able to vote in 2021. #ugandadecides2021 pic.twitter.com/k0IJwV20fQ
— Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) December 9, 2019
In a tweet published on the Commission’s official account, Ugandans were asked to disregard the notice circulating on Facebook.
Please note the registration/application for transfer of voters was conducted and concluded during the general update exercise in November-December 2019. A Voters' Register has already been produced and soft copies were recently issued to nominated Presidential Candidates. pic.twitter.com/A5k7syEK2i
— Electoral Commission- Uganda (@UgandaEC) November 22, 2020
Verdict
The notice claiming that Ugandan citizens have until December 11, 2020, to register as voters for the oncoming general elections is FAKE.
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