NRM SG Lumumba tasks polls body on 2021 elections

Lumumba says the commission should engage scientists to advise accordingly on the threat of Coronavirus to devise means of conducting the elections.
The secretary general of the ruling National Resistance Movement party, Justine Kasule Lumumba, wants the Electoral Commission to engage political players on the fate of the 2021 elections amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Lumumba says the commission should engage scientists to advise accordingly on the threat of Coronavirus to devise means of conducting the elections.
 
She said this in a meeting where the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party handed over the leadership of Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) to Justice Forum and tasked the new leadership with following up on the election roadmap with the electoral commission.    
 
Lumumba spoke shortly after FDC's Nandala Mafabi handed over to JEEMA as the new chair of the IPOD Council at Kabila Country Club. 
 
Deputy Secretary General Fredrick Kasajja received the instrument of power on behalf of JEEMA Secretary General Mohammad Katerega who  missed out at the function. 
 
Lumumba reminded the sister parties under IPOD to embrace the God-given opportunity of working together, irrespective of their different political ideologies. FDC chief Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Deputy SG for FDC Harold Kaija were among  the FDC leaders present.
 
AUDIT THE NRM GOVERNMENT
 
Lumumba also reminded the sister parties of their responsibility to audit the NRM against its shortcomings. She proposed that the IPOD leadership in chair should consider having written periodic audit reports to create check points for the NRM government in power. 
 
"Play your roles of auditing, monitoring and supervising the government in power," Lumumba said, adding that NRM was ready to take such written reports in good faith. She, however, warned against street criticism of the ruling government by the opposition.
 
GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO IPOD
 
The NRM Secretary General commended the IPOD Summit and Council members in Parliament who have always whipped the central government to consider releasing funds to political parties. She identified them as Jimmy Akena (UPC), Mafabi (FDC) and Asuman Basalirwa of JEEMA.
 
Lumumba further called on sister parties to take a front seat in holding candid discussions with the EC on Electoral related matters. She pledged her full support & availability for the task.