By Aggrey Baba
[In a house where the chief is absent, the people long for leadership].
Following the sudden demise of Hon. Ssegirinya Muhammad, the Electoral Commission (EC) has unveiled an elaborate roadmap to replace him as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North. The announcement also includes plans to fill the City Division Directly-Elected Councilor seat for Kazo-Angola Ward, a move aimed at ensuring representation and restoring leadership in the constituency.
In a press release issued on January 27, 2025, Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, affirmed that the roadmap was crafted in line with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act, which require a by-election within 60 days of a parliamentary seat being declared vacant. [Leadership is the backbone of progress, and the people of Kawempe North deserve immediate representation]. This signifies EC’s Commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent process.
The roadmap, which was shared during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kawempe North, outlines activities to guarantee a credible and inclusive election.
Updating the National Voters’ Register for Kawempe North began on January 27 and will run until January 31, 2025. This phase allows new voters to register and existing ones to confirm or transfer their voting details.
From February 3 to February 10, the register will be displayed at polling stations, enabling residents to verify their details.
Recommendations for corrections, deletions, or inclusions by parish tribunals will be displayed from February 10 to February 19, ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind.
Candidate nominations will take place on February 19 and 20, 2025, at the Office of the Returning Officer in Kawempe. After nominations, a meeting will be held to harmonize campaign programs. The campaign period is scheduled to run from February 26 to March 11, allowing candidates to interact with voters and present their visions.
Byabakama urged candidates to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns, reminding all stakeholders that [a house divided against itself cannot stand].
The EC has also planned the recruitment and training of election officials to ensure smooth management of the process.
Training of display officials will occur in early February, while polling day officials will be trained closer to the election date. The much-anticipated polling day has been set for March 13, 2025, when voters in Kawempe North will elect both their Member of Parliament and the City Division Councilor.
Byabakama called for collaboration and calm throughout the electoral process. [When the bird builds its nest, every twig matters], and every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring these elections succeed. “Let us approach this process with unity and focus,” he emphasized.
The EC also assured the public that all activities will adhere to the law and that measures have been put in place to ensure transparency and accountability. Accredited observers, political agents, and other stakeholders will be engaged to ensure a credible election.
The Kawempe North by-election is a pivotal moment for the constituency, which has been left without clear representation, for almost elections in 2021, with deceased only stepping into parliament once or twice, till demise (rip).
As the community gears up for this critical exercise, the roadmap unveiled by the Electoral Commission provides a clear path forward. [When the sun rises, it shines for all], and this reaffirms the EC’s commitment to delivering elections that reflect the will of the people. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
