KAMPALA, Uganda—Uganda’s Electoral Commission is seeking for a supplementary budget worth UGX7billion to enable them conduct national Local Council I and 11 lections the commission’s head, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon has said.
“Government in 2017 had provided the commission with enough funds to conduct the exercise to the tune of UGX15 Billion but following the court ruling that blocked the elections, the commission had to comply with the court order, however this affected us financially,” Byabakama noted.
“The commission had already recruited some staff to work on the exercises countrywide that time and we used part of the 15 billion to cater for those who had been recruited. Currently if the commission is to conduct the same exercises, then we need an extra cash of about UGX7billion to close the financial gap” Byabakama said.
He said the commission is still on track to ensure that village council elections are conducted but without enough resources the commission can’t embark on it.
“Ugandans have a right to elect their leaders at village level but in order for the commission to conduct that election, we need money to finance the whole process “He added.
The Election of Village council leaders in the country was halted following two High court rulings which favored the applicant, former secretary General of Uganda National Teachers Union , James Tweheyo who challenged the decision by the electoral commission to conduct the elections of Local council 1and 11 chairpersons along with that of Women Councils when Students had reported back to school especially those of voting age.
At the same briefing, Justice Byabakama said the commission is ready to conduct election in the newly created Municipalities, Town councils and Sub counties across the country. The posts to be filled include those of the Municipality Mayor, Municipal Members of Parliament, LC V Both Direct and special group’s councilors, and Workers Councilors.
According to the chairperson of the commission the whole exercise will cost the commission about UGX6.7 billion. Among the Municipalities where elections are to be conducted include Bugiri , Kotido Buikwe , Nebbi Apac among other newly created Municipalities.
