Voters, Politicians Want Presidential Debates Translated in Local Languages

Voters and politicians want the presidential and constituency debates translated into the local languages.

The voters and politicians think the debates are elitists, meant for the urban voters, but the rural people don’t stand to understand or benefit from the debates. 

This year’s debate will be themed under National values and diversity, political consensus, constitutionalism and rule of law, inclusive economy, quality service delivery and implementation, land justice, environment and natural resources and regional integration. 

Robert Mayombwe, a voter from Kiwenda in Wakiso district says that for the presidential and constituency debates to be understood, the people need to know what the politicians are promising to deliver when elected in 2021. 

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Nancy Linda Kalembe, an Independent presidential candidate says by using English only, it is useless to organise the debates when the majority of the voters are in rural areas with some not understanding English.

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The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, together with The Elders Forum Uganda (TEFU), Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD), the National Consultative Forum (NCF) and the Independent Electoral Commission will again organize the Presidential debate during this election cycle. They will also organize debates in selected constituencies and cities. 

The candidates’ debates provide a balanced space for all presidential candidates to sell their agenda to all Ugandans and make a commitment to fair and violence-free 2020/21 general elections.

Joshua Kitakule, the IRCU Secretary-General believes the presidential and constituency debates are going to be organized in a more efficient way for all Ugandans to benefit. 

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Innocent Nahabwe, the Deputy Chairman National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) they are yet to agree with the electoral commission and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on how to cover the 2021 presidential and constituency debates and general elections as private broadcasters.

Nahabwe says if the electoral commission and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) harmonize the issues presented like funding then the presidential and constituency debates would be easily aired on local radio stations across the country.

There will be two rounds of Presidential candidates debates with four sessions. The first presidential debate will be held on December 4th and 5th 2020 followed by the second on January 2nd and 3rd 2020. Regional constituency debates will be organized in selected constituencies and cities. The convening organizations will communicate suitable venues and dates for constituency and city debates. 

The Presidential Debate will be organized by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), The Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU), Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD), and the National Consultative Forum (NCF).