The Uganda Episcopal Conference has called on the government to urgently implement the 2016 Supreme Court recommendations to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, warning against a repeat of the irregularities witnessed in the 2021 general polls.
In a pastoral letter, the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Rt Rev Joseph Anthony Zziwa, emphasized the need for electoral reforms to restore public trust in the electoral process.
He noted that despite the Supreme Court issuing ten key reform recommendations following the 2016 election petition by Amama Mbabazi against President Museveni, none have been implemented to date.
Bishop Zziwa says the government must take urgent steps to avoid a repeat of the 2021 election chaos, which was marred by widespread reports of vote rigging, abductions, ballot stuffing, and the obstruction of opposition candidates.
He further urged the government to fully enforce the Supreme Court’s directive barring the trial of civilians in military courts and called for the release of all political prisoners.
Bishop Zziwa also raised concerns about the country's deepening corruption and soaring youth unemployment, which he said were contributing to criminal activity and undermining national stability.
Uganda's proposed electoral reforms include reinstating presidential term limits, reducing Parliament size, introducing a bicameral legislature with a Senate, and allowing diaspora and prisoner voting.
Other key changes are district-level declaration of presidential results, electronic voting using biometrics, and stricter regulation of campaign activities, including a ban on fundraising, limits on public servants’ political involvement, and reduced military presence during elections.
These reforms aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and democratic governance in the country’s electoral process.
