Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has stepped up preparations in its Emergency Medical Department to ensure swift response to any incidents during the January 15 general elections. Walter Uriek-Wun, the hospital’s Principal Assistant Secretary, said staff have recently completed emergency training to enhance readiness for election-related emergencies.
“Elections often trigger heightened emotions among the public, which can result in chaos, injuries, or road accidents requiring immediate medical attention,” Uriek-Wun said. “The emergency department needs to be alert. If anyone is injured, we must respond quickly and ensure they are out of danger. We shall handle this period like any other high-risk season, such as the festive season.”
He added that excitement and disappointment linked to election outcomes can lead to reckless behaviors, increasing the likelihood of accidents. “You may find boda boda riders riding carelessly. When accidents happen, we need to respond promptly, evacuate the injured, and admit them to our emergency department,” he explained. The hospital has positioned four ambulances on site and is ready to mobilize additional vehicles from across the Acholi sub-region if needed.
Security agencies are also preparing for the polls. Aswa West Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong told Uganda Radio Network that the Police are ready to ensure a peaceful election, although he did not disclose further details of their preparations. Uganda’s general elections on January 15 will see voters cast ballots for presidential and parliamentary candidates. The polls are considered high-stakes, amid concerns about heavy security deployment and potential election-related violence.
Last Friday, Fourth Infantry Division Commander Maj Gen Felix Busizoori echoed Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s advice urging voters to leave polling stations immediately after voting. Speaking to a group of former Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, Gen Busizoori warned locals against being used by politicians to incite violence, saying they risk personal harm while those inciting them remain safe.
“We are appealing to you to remain peaceful, cast your vote, and go back home. People have been inciting you. You have been voting for politicians for years; has it made a difference? Why risk bullets or teargas fighting for someone else’s gain while you remain starving?” Gen Busizoori said.
This year’s election has attracted eight presidential candidates. A tight race is expected between long-time incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and musician-turned-politician Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). Other contenders include Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera (Alliance for National Transformation), Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party), Mabiri Joseph (Conservative Party), Robert Kasibante (National Peasant’s Party), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change), and Bulira Frank Kabinga (Revolutionary People’s Party).
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