As the clock ticks down to the next election, experts are raising alarms about the urgency of implementing electoral reforms in Uganda.
With less than 90 days left to propose necessary changes, many legal minds caution that failure to act swiftly could render any reforms ineffective.
It has been nearly a decade since the Supreme Court directed the government to implement electoral reforms.
However, with another election year on the horizon, discussions about electoral reviews have intensified.
Crispin Kaheru, an election observer, expressed concerns about the current pace of reform efforts.
“While it may seem like there’s still time to implement these reforms, the window is extremely small," he said.
"The African Charter for Democracy recommends a six-month period before an election for such changes, but I believe we need at least a year and a half for meaningful electoral reforms. If these are not passed in 90 days, they will be useless."
Kaheru’s sentiments were echoed by other legal experts who fear that the timeline for the reform process is rapidly running out.
“Some of the suggested reforms would require a referendum and constitutional changes,” noted Mbidde, highlighting the complexity of the proposed adjustments.
Jude Mbabali, from the Electoral Commission (EC), pointed out that the Commission is already working on the electoral roadmap. “Once reforms are passed, we must be prepared to implement them on the ground effectively,” he said.
However, many experts are concerned that this last-minute rush for reforms could be politically motivated.
“Parliament must be cautious; these reforms could have significant repercussions. We need to ask why these individuals are pushing for these changes now,” warned Mbabali.
“It seems like some are seeking attention as we enter a politically charged atmosphere. The time for genuine reform has nearly passed.”
With mounting pressure from various stakeholders, the coming weeks will be critical for the future of Uganda’s electoral landscape.
