By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama has appealed to Parliament and other electoral stakeholders to consider making amendments and enactments to electoral laws in time to avoid inconveniences caused by destabilizing electoral programs and budgets.
Byabakama was speaking at the launching of the Strategic Plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Wednesday.
During the launch, the EC Boss also appealed to cabinet to ensure timely approval of new administrative units in local governments to avoid last hour inconveniences.
“The Commission appeals to the Government to consider and approve the creation of new administrative units in a timely manner so that the electoral program and budget are not destabilized,” Byabakama said.
The electoral roadmap launch is in line with the Electoral Commission’s mandate provided in Articles 60 and 61 of the Constitution to organize, conduct and supervise regular, free, and fair elections and referenda, among other functions. The launching ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja Musafiri.
According to Byabakama, the released strategic plan and roadmap for the 2025/26 general elections will enable the various stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve the following:
a) Improvement in the planning for participation and implementation of electoral activities; b) Improvement in co-ordination of electoral activities; c) Timely implementation of scheduled electoral activities; and, d) Transparency in the implementation of electoral programs and activities.
Speaking at the launch of the roadmap, the minister of justice and constitutional affairs, Norbert Mao challenged the Electoral Commission to conduct thorough civic education on electoral processes among members of the general public.
“The EC has been lamenting about civic education. I would want us to focus on civic education. The citizens are the nursery beds for leaders because leaders are picked from citizens. We need to make sure our citizens have civic education,” Chairman Mao said.
He said timely enactment of electoral laws will enable to make elections meaningful and stop Ugandans from over waiting.
Premiere Nabbanja said her office will make sure that the required funds (over Shs1.3 trillion) are released to the Commission to smoothly run the activities outlined in the roadmap.
“The Office of the Prime Minister will make sure that the enactment of relevant laws for the 2025/2026 General Elections is done before the end of 2023/2024 financial year,” she added
Nabbanja urged all political players to organize themselves in accordance with this roadmap so that they effectively participate in this process.
