KAMPALA, UGANDA – Former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, has sharply criticized Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC), accusing it of unfairly blocking candidates through targeted disqualifications.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The high-profile criticism follows the recent disqualification of Daniel Mulirire, an aspiring candidate for the Budiope East parliamentary seat in Buyende District.
The EC disqualified Daniel Mulirire, who was set to challenge incumbent MP Moses Magogo, the husband of current Speaker Anita Among, citing his failure to provide proof of resignation from public service at nomination.
First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga publicly questioned the Electoral Commission’s constitutional independence and commitment to lawful fairness.
“By continuously blocking candidates, the Electoral Commission undermines the democratic process and the rights of citizens. This pattern forces us to ask if it is upholding its constitutional independence and the fairness required by law,” said Kadaga.
She suggested a troubling pattern, alleging that disqualifications are disproportionately high in constituencies where the ruling party is perceived to be vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Mulirire’s legal team has vehemently contested the EC’s decision, insisting their client resigned from the Uganda Police Force over 550 days ago.
The team has vowed to challenge what they call a disqualification “technicality” in court, a case that is not isolated amid a wave of similar candidate disqualifications across the country.
The Electoral Commission has recently disqualified several aspiring parliamentarians, including notable cases such as Resty Sarah Kyarimpa, the Isingiro Woman MP candidate, for failing to meet nomination requirements.
Other disqualified candidates include Mathias Walukagga, whose academic qualifications were rejected by the High Court, and Mercy Rebecca Abedican and Joram Mpande, both accused of forging nomination signatures.
The Electoral Commission now faces intense public and political scrutiny over the growing list of disqualified candidates, even as it maintains it is merely enforcing the law and electoral guidelines.
With over 100 petitions currently under review by the Electoral Commission challenging various nomination outcomes, the final landscape of eligible candidates remains in flux.
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