JEEMA: Electronic voting won’t fix electoral incompetence

The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take responsibility for the electoral irregularities, following President Museveni's recent claims about election rigging.

Museveni recently accused the National Unity Platform (NUP) of rigging the 2021 general elections by one million votes.

He asserted that he has concrete evidence and dared NUP to dispute his allegations.

Museveni blamed the alleged rigging on polling station agents who failed to effectively manage the electoral process.

He acknowledged widespread electoral fraud in Uganda and proposed the introduction of electronic voting systems as a solution to these issues.

He also suggested that elections at polling stations where electronic machines fail should be suspended until the problems are resolved.

In response, JEEMA spokesperson Dr. Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko criticised the Electoral Commission, led by Justice Simon Byabakama, calling on the leadership to either restore public trust or resign.

"Introducing electronic voting will not fix the deep-rooted incompetence in the electoral process. If the EC cannot address fraud concerns, the leadership should step down," Dr. Nsereko said.

He further warned that neglecting electoral reforms could lead to political instability, referencing Uganda’s history as a cautionary tale.

"Uganda’s civil war is a painful reminder of what happens when elections lose credibility," Nsereko remarked.

Dr. Nsereko also called on President Museveni to urgently address concerns raised by the Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, regarding the alleged misuse of cooperative society compensation funds.

In a statement dated September 20, 2024, JEEMA praised the investigative agencies for uncovering the mismanagement of the funds but stressed that the issues must be fully addressed for transparency.

“The President must act swiftly on General Muhoozi’s concerns. Ignoring such matters undermines both the credibility of the government and the fight against fraud,” Nsereko said.

JEEMA urged agencies like the Inspectorate General of Government (IGG), the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to provide regular updates on their investigations and extend their probes to grassroots beneficiaries of the cooperative societies.

“We need transparency at every level. Investigations should not focus solely on top officials but also include grassroots members to ensure justice is served,” Nsereko emphasized.