By Timothy Nsubuga

6th Oct 2010

A powerful new report released on October 5^th 2010 has said there is widespread opinion that the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission [EC] is biased. It also says the EC lacks the necessary powers to enable it conduct free and fair elections.  It further declares that urgent efforts to implement election legislation are needed if the upcoming elections are to be considered free and fair.

The report is authored by former Uganda Human Rights Chairperson Ms. Margaret Sekaggya who is now the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights.  It was jointly published by the Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AfriMAP) and the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA).

It assesses Uganda’s level of preparedness to hold free and fair elections in February 2011 based on an audit of African and international standards to which Uganda has subscribed.  The report also points out that there is a disconnect between Uganda’s legal framework and its implementation.  It also laments what it called “…the lack of a level playing field in Ugandan politics”.

Uganda committed itself to promote a vibrant multi-party system when it completed its review by the Africa Peer Review Mechanism [APRM] in 2008.  However, two years on, that commitment to review the electoral laws has not been duly fulfilled.

Other than the Electoral Commission’s alleged bias toward the ruling NRM party, the report also, even without mentioning names, singled out President Yoweri Museveni for particular criticism over his refusal to disband and reform the Kiggundu-led EC.

Ozias Tungwarara, the Director of AfriMAP, said “…there are clear signs that there is lack of political will and commitment by the incumbency to ensure that elections in Uganda are transparent.  Evidence shows that continental institutions have urged Uganda to address the issue of electoral law reforms years ago, and yet, it seems their caution have fallen on deaf ears”.

But not all is doom and gloom.  The report also expresses some optimism at what can be achieved in the remaining period before the February 2011 elections.  Binaifer Nowrojee, a Director at OSIEA, said “…it’s not too late to ensure that the 2011 elections represent a step forward for Uganda, even though they cannot fully meet the standards Uganda has committed to following”.

The OSIEA Director also called on all stakeholders, especially the ruling party, to make real efforts to ensure greater transparency and cooperation in the elections as well as ensure that voters know their rights and responsibilities.

Commenting on the accusations of bias and partiality directed at the Kiggundu-led EC, NRM Deputy Spokesperson Mr. Ofwono Opondo told Uganda Correspondent that the current EC Commissioners were duly re-appointed by President Museveni “…while the opposition slept…and they must now sleep in their thorny bed”.  END.  If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!