Electoral Commission of Uganda explained

Agency Name:Electoral Commission
Jurisdiction:Uganda
Headquarters:Kampala
Chief1 Name:Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama
Chief1 Position:Chair
Website:Homepage

The Electoral Commission of Uganda, also Uganda Electoral Commission, is a constitutionally established organ of the Government of Uganda, whose mandate is to "organise and conduct regular, free and fair elections" in the country, in an efficient, professional and impartial manner.[1]

Location

The Electoral Commission maintains its headquarters at 55 Jinja Road, in the Central Division of Kampala, the capital and largest city in Uganda. The coordinates of the headquarters of the Uganda Electoral Commission are:0°19'00.0"N, 32°35'39.0"E (Latitude:0.316675; Longitude:32.594154).

History

The law that led to establishment of the electoral commission was promulgated in 1997. The first Electoral commission served from 1997 until 2002. The current commission came into office in 2016 for a seven-year term, renewable once only. This commission headed by Justice of the High Court, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, replaces that which was headed by Engineer Badru Kiggundu that served two terms (2002–2009 and 2009–2016). Other commissioners include Hajjat Aisha Lubega (vice chairperson) and commissioners Peter Emorut, Steven Tashobya, Justine Ahabwe Mugabi, Nathaline Etomaru and Mustapha Ssebaggala Kigozi. During their first year in office, they organised and supervised by-elections. The first nationwide election that they are expected to organise is the election of the Local Council leaders. As of April 2018, those were being delayed by lack of sufficient funds.[2]

Commissioners

The following are the current commissioners (2016–2022)[3] The new team was sworn in on 17 January 2017.[4]

  1. Simon Mugenyi Byabakama: Chairperson
  2. Hajjat Aisha Lubega: Deputy Chairperson
  3. Peter Emorut: Commissioner
  4. Justine Ahabwe Mugabi: Commissioner
  5. Stephen Tashobya: Commissioner
  6. Mustapha Ssebagala Kigozi: Commissioner
  7. Nathaline Etomaru: Commissioner

Controversy

The Electoral Commission has repeatedly been accused being impartial. In the Presidential Elections of 2021 there were 409 polling stations with a 100% turnout, all of which were won by President Museveni.[5] Election forms (so-called Declaration of Results) have been altered at the advantage of president Museveni in a way that the Electoral Commission has not been able to explain.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mission, Vision and Goal . 5 August 2016 . 5 August 2016. Electoral Commission of Uganda (ECU). UCU . Uganda.
  2. Web site: 17 April 2018 . Uganda's EC seeks Ushs7bn for local council elections . 24 April 2018 . . Nabwiso . Samuel . Kampala.
  3. Web site: 24 April 2018 . Justice Simon Byabakama replaces Kiggundu as EC chairperson . 18 November 2018 . . Stephen . Kafeero . Kampala.
  4. Web site: New Electoral Commission team sworn in . 24 April 2018 . 17 January 2017 . Vision Reporter . . Kampala.
  5. Web site: Observers baffled by 100% voter turnout.. live. Observer. https://web.archive.org/web/20210217135054/https://observer.ug/news/headlines/68513-election-observers-baffled-by-100-voter-turnout-at-409-polling-stations . 2021-02-17 .
  6. Web site: Something doesn't add up. live. The Continent. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306074739/https://twitter.com/thecontinent_/status/1368105935076536321 . 2021-03-06 .