There is fear at the Uganda Electoral Commission after the contracts of the top managers and the commissioners ended last week and President Yoweri Museveni has not renewed their appointment.
According to sources that talked to Eagle Online, the commissioners and other top managers do not know what will happen as the electoral body prepares for 2026 elections.
“They are all waiting for the president to renew their appointment. It’s him who appoints and renews their appointments,” the source said.
It’s not clear whether the delayed renewal of their appointments is connected to the internal fights at EC which might jeopardize the preparations to have free and fair elections in 2026.
The fights that threaten the smooth running of EC are connected to money, power struggles and jostling to employ relatives and friends.
One of the commissioners is said to be in a fierce fight with Chairman Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and has sometimes threatened to usurp the powers of the chairman.
There are also reports of misusing fuel cards, especially one powerful official from the Finance Department whose records seen by this website show for example during 2021 elections one car could use fuel worth shs500,000 a day. It is said that this official had over 100 fuel cards and would sometimes falsify on non-viable journeys in order to connive with fuel suppliers.
Sources say there is “a lot going on” and the problem is selfish interests fueled by power struggles and corruption.
The Electoral Commission is led by Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama who is the Chairperson and six commissioners.
The commissioners include; Hajjat Aisha Lubega Deputy Chairperson, Peter Emorut, Justine Ahabwe Mugabi, Stephen Tashobya, Sebaggala Mustapha Kigozi and Nathaline Etomaru.
