Mao Slams EC, Police for Election Campaign Chaos and Brutality

Justice Minister Nobert Mao has condemned the recent campaign violence in Gulu, labelling it a failure on the part of the Electoral Commission that has the responsibility to guarantee orderly campaigns.

Mao  has also criticized both police and the UPDF for failing  to distinguish themselves from goons when they engaged to fight unarmed crowds, adding that the violence witnessed in Gulu is a shame. 

Mao has also faulted the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police for mishandling cases involving civillians  leading many to end  up in military courts. 

He said the ODPP sits on files, taking long to sanction cases as police continue to carry out arrests and  detaining citizens beyond the 48-hour limit .

The minister further condemned businessman Ham Kiggundu, accusing him of tarnishing the president’s name by waving a  letter regrading  the Nakivubo channel construction instead of following legal procedures. Mao emphasized that even when acting on a presidential directive, the law must be followed.

The justice Minister made the remarks during the launch of the 30th Annual JLOS Performance Report for the financial year 2024/2025  in Kampala.