The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has asked President Yoweri Museveni to put in place an independent system for the election of the chairperson of Electoral Commission (EC) and the Chief Justice.
Kaziimba who doubles as the Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) said that by separating the responsibility for the election of the head of those two institutions from the Presidency, it will help the public gain trust in their work.
The Archbishop was on Wednesday responding to EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama who said that however much they always work and ensure that they render a free and fair election, there is a section of Ugandans who always doubt their fairness for a number of reasons.
“Some people say the commission cannot ensure a free and fair election given the fact that its leaders including the chairperson and the commissioners are appointed by the President who at the same time is among the candidates,” Justice Byabakama said.
He was addressing the members of the IRCU who are attending a 3-day governance retreat held at Colline Hotel in Mukono under the theme: “Shepherding the Nation Towards Peace, National Cohesion and Development. Do what is just and right…” Jeremiah 22:3.
Kaziimba therefore asked Justice Byabakama to advise the President to facilitate a system of independent election of the commission chairperson and the Chief Justice to separate the Presidency from that responsibility.
He implored the EC Chairperson to invoke his authority as “a learned friend” to broker a change of system in the choosing of leaders in the two offices, currently the duty of the President as a sole person.
The IRCU chairperson also noted that it is crucial to have leaders equipped with information on matters of forging peaceful elections before 2026, to address issues of corruption, and to teach voters to be accommodative and push only for constitutional reforms on matters they wish to be adjusted.
In his address, the EC chairperson, Justice Byabakama said the commission closely works with religious leaders because in their operations, they interact with voters and the EC’s interest is collaborating with agents who pass on messages of peace to voters.
“You can’t have social transformation in the face of chaos; the peace message is cross cutting and we know that when there is no peace, we suffer collectively,” he said.
He however expressed dismay at some religious leaders who get to the pulpits and campaign against some candidates with the objective of supporting those hailing from their religions, saying it is not right.
“Religious leaders are for all of us, irrespective of our religious beliefs. What will happen if the one you campaigned against went through, will he or she cease to be your leader? I believe it would be wise for religious leaders to preach peace instead of divisions” he advised.
He added that aspirants who have got into early elections are operating outside the law because he said, campaigns only begin after nominations.
On any reprimand measures against law breaking aspirants, he said the EC has no mandate to enforce the law outside the campaign period and that such people who he said are bent on disorganizing normal duties, can best be handled by law enforcing bodies.
He said, “For us as the commission, we are only responsible for candidates and as of now, there is no candidate until nominations are carried out”.
He charged political actors and leaders to be ready to accept election results gracefully, and advised that putting in place free and fair elections is not solely the responsibility of the Electoral Commission but that there are other players in the course of ensuring free and fair elections.
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“We are lucky that as a country, we have been peaceful during and after elections, unlike our neighboring countries whose security has been disrupted on several occasions and we have received a number of their countrymen running to Uganda as refugees. It is therefore prudent to ensure that we continue with that peace as 2026 draws near,” he emphasized.
On alleged preaching of divisionism by unnamed members of the IRCU, Archbishop Kaziimba who is also the IRCU chairperson said it is wrong and unbefitting of religious leaders to engage in politics of divisionism, adding that they should be above that.
The retired bishop of South Rwenzori, Jackson Nzerebende also put across his concern before Justice Byabakama asking why he should not limit the involvement of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into the election process.
Byabakama in his response said the duty of keeping law and order during and after elections is a mandate of the Police.
“However, the Police says it is also mandated to seek assistance from its sister security agencies. And mind you, unlike previous elections in the 90’s when we had not yet joined the multi-party system, these days, security is very key if you are to have a safe and secure election,” he said.
The Deputy Secretary to Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, Patrick Ochaya who represented the Permanent Secretary thanked religious leaders for complementing the government in sectors like education where he said they have started institutions up to university level.
Ochaya thanked the faith-based fraternity for the spirit of oneness in many fields, saying they have greatly contributed to raising the life standards in the country. Elaborating, he said, “IRCU serves as a vital steward among communities, and a reliable foundation for unlocking development in families.”