By KT Reporter
The Assistant Resident City Commissioner of Arua City, Matua Job Richard has advised candidates and their supporters against the use of hate speech, citing it as a major contributor to election-related violence reported during the ongoing campaign period.
He said abusive language used by candidates and their supporters often provokes retaliation from opponents, leading to clashes—particularly during campaign rallies and voter engagements.
The Assistant Resident City Commissioner of Arua City, Matua Job Richard, noted that most violent incidents registered during the electoral period involve supporters of rival candidates and are largely triggered by inflammatory speech.
He cautioned that such conduct could have lasting consequences beyond the elections, reminding politicians and supporters that communities must continue to live together regardless of political differences.
Security leaders in the region say they have continued engaging various stakeholders to guide candidates from different political parties to comply with Electoral Commission guidelines to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
However, officials noted persistent violations, including illegal road processions, failure to control supporters, and the use of hate speech—practices that have occasionally resulted in violence at designated campaign venues.
The Superintendent of Police, Jimmy Anguyo, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order and warned candidates against mobilizing gangs or groups to instigate violence during the campaign period.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in, saying election-related violence can be prevented if all stakeholders play their roles through continuous engagement, voter sensitization, and civic education.
Peace Abaru, the Executive Director of Peace for Women, emphasized the need to curb hate speech and misinformation, which she identified as the main drivers of violence among political supporters.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the West Nile Regional Civil Society Network (WECISNET), Feni Twain, called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, political actors, civil society, and community leaders to prevent violence during and after the elections.
Security officials have also identified several electoral hotspots in the region based on reported incidents. These include Arua Central Division, Maracha County, and Adjumani District, among others, where cases of campaign-related violence have been recorded.
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