The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Committee of Parliament on Appointments chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Tuesday vetted the seven nominees appointed to the Electoral Commission – EC by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The nominees include Justice Simon Byamukama (Chairperson), Hajjati Aisha Lubega (Deputy Chairperson), James Peter Emorut, Stephen Tashobya, Anthony Okello, the former Kioga County MP, Dr. Simba Ssali, a Don of Political Science at Makerere University, and Caroline Bainamaryo.
In a letter to the Speaker dated 5th January 2024, Museveni reappointed Byabakama and Hajat Aiisha Lubega to another seven-year term in office. Also reappointed to the Commission is Stephen Tashobya, the former Kajara County legislator during the ninth Parliament.
Tashobya, a lawyer by profession will be serving his last term on the Commission at the end of the seven-year term. He was a member of the 8th and Ninth Parliament where he served as the chair of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
Four new faces appointed to the Commission include Dr. Simba, Okello, Bainamaryo, and Emorut. URN could not immediately ascertain why Pamela Etonu Okudi, and Robert Kasule Sebunya who appeared in the President’s letter were replaced by Emorut and Bainamaryo.
The National Unity Platform – NUP party and four-time Presidential candidate, Dr. Kiiza Besigye scoffed at the appointment saying the appointees are loyalists of the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM government.
Citing the previous general polls in the country, the duo argues that the appointees will pay allegiance to the appointing authority which will still bias the electoral process ahead of the 2026 elections.
