By Mulengera Reporters
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Simon Byabakama, has defended the suspension of six staff members, asserting that the Commission maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. The suspensions followed concerns over the handling of certain funds within the institution.
Byabakama made the remarks on January 17, 2025, during an appearance before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present the Commission’s Budget Framework Paper for the 2025/26 financial year. This followed media reports that Leonard Mulekwah, the EC Secretary, and five other staff members had been suspended pending internal investigations.
“The Commission has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Several issues arose indicating questionable handling of funds. In response, we implemented an internal mechanism to investigate these concerns, which led to the suspension of some staff members, as reported in the media. Investigations are ongoing, and we will take appropriate action once the inquiry is concluded,” Byabakama explained.
However, he refrained from providing further details on the circumstances of the suspensions, stating, “For now, I cannot discuss the specifics as this is a matter under investigation.”
The suspensions come ahead of the 2026 general elections and mirror a similar incident in July 2020 when former EC Secretary Sam Rwakoojo, along with staff members Joseph Lwanga, Godfrey Wanyoto, Jotham Taremwa, and others, were dismissed over corruption allegations.
The departure of Rwakoojo led to Mulekwah’s promotion from Director of Operations to Secretary of the EC. During last week’s committee meeting, Richard Kamugisha was introduced as the Acting Secretary to the Commission. Kamugisha had previously served as Director of Operations.
EC Requests Additional Funds
The EC is seeking an additional UGX 10.463 billion for staff salary enhancements, citing the need to motivate employees and improve the delivery of electoral services ahead of the 2026 elections. The Commission is also requesting UGX 1.66 billion for wages for returning officers in new cities and Terego District, where staff salaries remain unpaid, hindering the operationalization of those offices.
“The third installment of the staff salary enhancement, which was approved by Parliament in 2017, was due in the 2019/2020 financial year but has not been honored to date. This has caused anxiety among our staff. We are requesting additional resources to motivate them and improve electoral service delivery,” Byabakama said.
The EC also highlighted the need for UGX 62.066 billion for the construction of a new headquarters. Byabakama hopes the new facility will serve as the venue for the nomination of presidential candidates and the 2026 election tally center, which would reduce the cost of renting external venues.
“In the 2025/26 financial year, the estimated cost of the project is UGX 62.066 billion, but it has not been allocated in the MTEF. We are requesting additional resources to make the site operational for the nomination of presidential candidates and declaration of election results,” Byabakama added.
During the meeting, Medard Lubega (Busiro East) raised concerns about escalating violence during recent by-elections, citing a particular incident in Kisoro where a person was arrested for possessing illegal ballot papers and was reportedly guarded by a soldier. Lubega criticized the EC for failing to prosecute the culprits behind such incidents.
Byabakama responded, stating that ensuring peaceful, non-violent elections requires cooperation from all stakeholders. He emphasized that irregularities and violence are often perpetrated by individuals outside the Commission, and the EC’s role is to uphold the law and promote fairness.
“The violence you’re referring to is often committed by individuals, not necessarily by EC members. Our message to all stakeholders has always been that the election we seek depends on the contributions of everyone involved. If we avoid violence, voter bribery, and disruptions at polling stations, we can achieve a peaceful election,” Byabakama said.
Tensions arose near the conclusion of the meeting when MP Odur (name unclear) pressed Byabakama on allegations made by President Museveni in September 2024. The President claimed that one million votes had been either wrongly awarded or withheld in the 2021 general elections, potentially affecting his party’s results.
Odur questioned whether the EC had looked into these allegations, given their serious implications for the integrity of the elections. “The President’s statement was a significant indictment. He challenged the EC to provide evidence. I wonder if the Commission has addressed this matter,” Odur remarked.
Byabakama, who had responded confidently to other questions during the meeting, became visibly uncomfortable with this inquiry. In light of the tension, Stephen Baka, Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, ended the session and instructed the EC to provide written responses to any remaining questions. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
