The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, a prominent member of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), expressed concerns about the process of appointing the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Chief Justice.
He suggested that a better method should be adopted to ensure these appointments are impartial and free from political influence.
Archbishop Kazimba made these remarks during an engagement organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) with EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama at Mukono Colline Hotel.
Kazimba emphasized the need for a more inclusive and transparent appointment process for these positions, which are pivotal to upholding justice and democracy in the country.
“I think there should be a better way of appointing the Chairperson of the EC and the Chief Justice to avoid people doubting the commission because of the appointing authority,” Kaziimba noted.
The dialogue brought together religious leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss governance and electoral matters, highlighting the importance of trust and integrity in national institutions.
The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has raised concerns about the involvement of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) during electoral periods. According to the council, the UPDF’s presence, particularly in opposition strongholds, often leads to voter intimidation.
The council’s criticism reflects broader concerns voiced by civil society and opposition parties about the militarisation of elections.
They argue that the heavy deployment of security forces, including the army, during elections creates an environment of fear, discouraging voter participation and casting doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.
Members of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) have also proposed that Ugandans with national identification cards (IDs) be allowed to vote, instead of relying solely on the Electoral Commission’s registers, which they claim are marred by irregularities.
The council argues that the national ID database, managed by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), is more comprehensive and credible, as it captures data for nearly all eligible Ugandans.
This move, they suggest, would reduce cases of voter disenfranchisement, eliminate ghost voters, and address concerns of manipulation and errors in the Electoral Commission’s registers.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the chairperson of Uganda’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), while addressing the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) in Mukono, defended the commission against criticisms related to anomalies often faced during general elections.
Justice Simon Byabakama raised a critical question regarding the role of security during elections: “In the current Uganda, can you conduct a meaningful election without security?” He noted that the commission works in close collaboration with the Uganda Police Force.
Byabakama referenced Article 212 of the Constitution, which mandates the police to preserve law and order and grants them the authority to seek support from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to ensure peace.
Justice Byabakama called on religious leaders to play an active role in fostering peace and unity as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections. He highlighted the importance of their involvement in encouraging civic education, voter participation, and maintaining a peaceful electoral environment.
In his remarks, he emphasised the commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections while acknowledging challenges that have been raised in past electoral processes.
