You’re time wasters: Museveni government reacts to Archbishop Lwanga, UJCC proposal to postpone elections, extend president’s term till 2023

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has described Catholic Archbishop of Kampala Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and other Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) leaders time wasters for proposing postponement of 2021 elections and allowing incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni rule for three more years until 2023.

Archbishop Lwanga and UJCC have hinged their proposal on the fact that Covid19 cases and deaths have risen, and fears that electoral violence is likely to escalate.

With most presidential candidates disregarding Covid19 prevention guidelines, Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned there could be more deaths and infections.

Already, the healthcare system is overwhelmed and home care has been recommended for mild cases.

Hours after Lwanga announced UJCC’s proposal, MoH revealed seven people had succumbed to Covid19 on December 22, bringing the total death toll to 245. Recoveries stand at 10,731 of the cumulative 32,299 cases recorded since March 21.

But according to Opondo, Lwanga and UJCC’s proposal “has surely been long taken by events and time.”

Uganda is exactly three weeks away from the January 14 elections.

And the government spokesperson, who doubles as the executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, has argued it would be a waste of time of begin discussing such proposals.

“Let’s move on,” Opondo added.

“Leave time wasters alone.”