By Aggrey Baba
Following the deletion of three women politicians who sought to challenge Rt. Hon. Anita Among for the Bukedea Woman MP seat, the Electoral Commission (EC) has come under sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil activists who accuse it of shielding political elites and undermining democracy.
The EC, through its Secretary, informed the High Court, on Monday, that NUP’s Mercy Marion Alupo, Norma Susan of FDC and independent aspirant Hellen Akol Odeke, who still failed to stand against Among in the recent NRM primaries, for not having a home in Bukedea, had all been deleted from the National Voters’ Register, a move which, according to EC, effectively disqualified them from participating in the upcoming Bukedea Woman MP race.
The three had separately expressed interest in challenging Among, who also serves as Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea District’s political heavyweight. However, their names were struck off the register following what the EC claims to be tribunal recommendations. None of them, according to opposition sources (particularly Kyagulanyi), was ever notified of any hearing or decision before their deletion was confirmed.
Many (from the opposition) say the incident is a mirror of how Uganda’s electoral system continues to tilt in favour of the powerful. Kyagulanyi note that the EC’s action came even after a court case had already been filed to contest the legality of Among’s unopposed position, a move seen by many as an attempt to bypass the court process.
The development has sparked widespread outrage across political circles, with critics calling it another blow to Uganda’s already fragile democracy. To them, it is like “locking the door after setting the house on fire,” a calculated move to silence potential Among challengers before MP campaigns even begin.
Observers argue that this could mark a turning point in how citizens perceive the independence of the EC. The fact that all three women (representing different political parties) were deleted in one sweep has left many questioning whether due process was followed or whether the decision was politically engineered.
Disappointment in Bukedea, runs deep among residents who had hoped for a spirited contest. Instead, they are now faced with what appears to be a one-horse race.
For the opposition, this incident has become a rallying cry against what they describe as “state capture” of the EC. Bobi Wine, in his X (formally Twitter) communication, warned that Uganda is treading a dangerous path where electoral rules no longer serve the people but protect a few.
It now remains to be seen whether the EC will or can explain how three people from different parties could all be deleted in the same constituency against one dominant figure. Legal experts predict the matter could escalate into a constitutional debate on the EC’s accountability and the limits of its administrative powers. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
