News

• Mar 15, 2012: Uganda:Race to succeed Besigye hots up,Daily Monitor(2012) The article talks about the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change party new leader.
• Mar 15, 2012: Uganda:Mps seek signatures to impeach President, Daily Monitor(2012) The article talks about seven opposition lawmakers who have signed an unprecedented petition seeking to impeach President Museveni.
• Mar 15, 2012: Uganda:Govt drafts new Media Bill,Daily Monitor(2012) The article talks about a new draft Bill aimed at regulating broadcasters and telecommunication service providers in the country.
• Mar 09, 2012: Uganda:I will remove Museveni from power,Daily Monitor(2012) The article is about a woman presidential candidate.
• Mar 01, 2012: Uganda:Scramble for regional parliament seats begin,Daily Monitor(2012) The article is about the EA community and how the Parties will nominate their representatives.
• Feb 18, 2012: Uganda:Mwiru win does not mean Jinja East by-election was free and fair,the monitor(2012) The article is about the opposition FDC party of Uganda winning in a by-election against the NRM
• May 13, 2011: Uganda police and opposition supporters clash , AlJazeera (2011) Post-election violence in Uganda continues as demonstrators claiming the election was "rigged" clash with state police. President Yoweri Museveni was recently sworn in for the fourth time despite promising to retire from politics in 2001.
• Feb 20, 2011: Uganda: Commonwealth Observers dismiss Uganda polls, Daily Nation (2011) This article is a press report from the interim statement from the Commonwealth observer mission that has been observing the Uganda elections. The statement states that the playing field was not level during the campaign period and the irregularities that were witnessed during the polling day.
• Feb 20, 2011: Uganda: 2011 Uganda Elections: Museveni wins with 68.38%, Daily Monitor (2011) The Electoral Commission of Uganda has declared the incumbent President Museveni victor of Uganda’s Friday presidential ballot with 68.38% while the Inter-Party Cooperation flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye garnered 26% of the votes cast. The article also quotes the EC declaring Museveni as the President Elect according to the provisions in the Constitution. However the EC stated that it had not received results from 117 polling stations whose results the commission says would be inconsequential to the final outcome.
• Feb 20, 2011: Uganda: IPC rejects 2011 election results, Daily Monitor (2011) This article is a press statement from the IPC party of Uganda that rejected the results announced by the EC. The statement also gives examples of electoral malpractices that were witnessed during the electoral period including the polling day.
• Feb 20, 2011: Uganda:Museveni in lead with over 70% votes, Daily Monitor This report talks of the provisional results released by the Electoral Commission as at Saturday that indicated the the incumbent President Museveni had garnered at least 71.38 per cent while his closest contender Dr Kizza Besigye had garnered 22.92 per cent of the vote.
• Feb 20, 2011: Uganda: Record numbers in 2011 elections, New Vision (2011) This articles is about the Ugandan Polling day that saw long snake like queues of voters in most of the polling station nationwide that came out to cast there vote as they choose their presidential and parliamentary election. It also talks of reports from polling station were voter missing their names and referred to other stations, to missing materials.
• Feb 16, 2011:
• Feb 15, 2011: Uganda:Electoral body dispatches voting materials to districts, Daily Monitor (2011) The articles talks of the preparations the EC has made to be able to give his team enough time to prepare to conduct the General election on 18th February 2011. The opposition have come out to raise red flags on the early dispatch with fears that the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) will tamper with the packages in favour of the incumbent president and parliamentarians.
• Feb 15, 2011: Uganda: EC And Civil Society in Fresh Row Over Ghost Voters, AllAfrica (2011) This article talks of the Democratic Monitoring Groups findings on the nationals voter register on the EC official figure of 13.9 million registered voters as exaggerated and hence the allegation of Ghost Voters. The article also talks of calls by the Commonwealth Observation mission demand for a fresh scrutiny of the voters register.
• Feb 14, 2011: Timeline - Ugandan presidential elections, Reuters (2011) This article presents a clear time-line of the presidential elections in Uganda in the last 30 years. The next presidential will be held on February 18, on the same day as the parliamentary.
• Feb 14, 2011: Uganda: The 2011 election campaign, The Daily Monitor (2011) This article reports on the last four days of the 2011 election campaign in Uganda. On Friday, February 18, Ugandans will go to the polls in the general elections. The National Resistance Movement and its leader, President Yoweri Museveni, will likely win the majority of the votes. Bribery and vote-buying was one of the most debated and reported issue in the electoral campaign.
• Feb 14, 2011: Tension, uncertainty as Uganda prepares for election, VOA News (2011) This article reports on the political situation in Uganda. According to the reporter, the general environment surrounding the upcoming elections is tense. After having defeated all of his electoral challengers since 1996, president Museveni will face his toughest competition yet. The president's most serious challenges appears to be Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye, who also ran in 2001 and 2006, and his Inter-Party Coalition.
• Feb 08, 2011: Uganda: EC summons Lukwago over Court case, New Vision (2011) This article talks of one of the candidates who is currently a member of parliament on there illegibility as a candidate with respect to Section 4(2) of the amended Parliamentary Elections Act, 2010.
• Feb 03, 2011: Uganda: Electoral Commission directed to de-register MPs, Daily Monitor (2011) The article talks of the Constitutional Court registrar directives for the Electoral Management Body to de-register the 70 MPs that were declared illegally running for re-election on different parties or as independent candidates from the parties that sponsored them to parliament without resignng first as stipulated in article 83(1) of the constitution.
• Feb 02, 2011: Uganda: Court throws out 70 MPs from polls, New Vision (2011) The Article talks of the Constitutional ruling in which a five-judges panel was interpretation section 83 of the constitution with relation to the nomination for parliamentary seats by incumbent members of parliament, councilors and ministers. stated that “You cannot in a multi-party political system continue to represent the electorate on a party basis in Parliament, while at the same time offering yourself for election for the next Parliament on the ticket of a different political party or as an independent."
• Jan 28, 2011: Uganda: Opposition party FDC fails to block polls, New Vision (2011) This article describes the court ruling that favored the Electroal commission of Uganda to continue in its plans to hold the general election on 18 February 2011. In the ruling the judge based his decision on the interpretation of the law as well as the explanation of the EMB on documentation that can be used to identify a voter.
• Jan 28, 2011: Uganda: Security chiefs promise peaceful poll, New Vision (2011) This article speaks of the preparedness of the Ugandan security forces to control any uprising of electoral violence and civil unrest as the country goes into polls on February 18 2011. Top security chiefs gave a press statement to brief the citizens of Uganda on there plans in securing the ballot as well as maintaining peace and order with the borders of Uganda.
• Jan 28, 2011: Uganda:European Observers Here for February Poll, New Vision (2011) This article talks of the arrival of the 34 person observation mission of the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) that arrived in Kampala on 22nd January in readiness to observe the February 18 polls. The article gives further details of the strategy that the EU EOM will be deploying to be able to observe the 112 Election districts in Uganda through to the release of the final report.
• Jan 26, 2011: Uganda: Museveni willing to let Besigye rule, Daily Monitor (2011) This article an interview conducted by BBC with President Museveni's on his plans as a leader with relation to the upcoming Elections where he standing to be elected for a fourth term as the president of Uganda. In the interview, Museveni also indicates that the EAC is looking for a formula for the future and not for a leader which is part of his vision for the federation of East Africa states.
• Jan 17, 2011: Uganda:Police arm heavily ahead of elections, Daily Monitor (2011) This article talks about the preparation the Ugandan Police as they prepare for any eventuality on the run-up to the February 18th 2011 General Elections in Uganda. The article explains the show of might by the police from its new fleet of equipment acquired from China and imported through the neighboring Tanzanian port of of Dar es Salaam. It further gives the reaction of the Shadow Internal Affairs Minister to the timing of the acquisition of anti riot equipment and a response to the reaction by the NRM spokeperson to the Shadow Ministers allegations.
• Jan 14, 2011: Uganda: EAC to send election observers, The New Vision (2011) This article reports on the East African Community's decision to send observers to Uganda for the February elections. The mission will be organized in cooperation with the Common Market for East and Central Africa and the Electoral Institute for Sustainability of Democracy in Africa.
• Jan 10, 2011: Uganda: What happens if a candidate wants to quit the race?, Daily Monitor (2011) This article discusses the legal provisions for a candidate that has been nominated as a Presidential candidate. It goes ahead to explain the various provisions that are required from the withdrawing candidate as stipulated by the Ugandan legislation in PartIV Section 14 of The Presidential Elections Act.
• Jan 04, 2011: Uganda: Clergy warn on election fraud, The New Vision (2011) This article reports on Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam's appeal regarding the upcoming elections in Uganda. The papal envoy has warned against election malpractice, and stressed on the importance of the February elections for the country's democracy.
• Jan 04, 2011: Uganda: Election Results - Whose Figures Shall Citizens Believe? AllAfrica (2011) This article reports on the latest updates for the upcoming elections in Uganda. Opposition leader and presidential candidate, Kizza Besigye, stated that he will announce his own results, arguing that the Electoral Commission is controlled by the governing party. According to the author, however, this could create only chaos and confusion among voters.
• Dec 23, 2010: Uganda: Opposition leaders demand interim President ahead of 2011 general elections, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the opposition's request to form an independent interim government to govern Uganda, as the 2011 elections are approaching. The various opposition parties argued that an independent government would prevent the president from misusing his powers to rig the election.
• Dec 23, 2010: Uganda: Will the opposition parties remain standing in 2011? The Daily Monitor (2010) This article discusses the final weeks of the electoral campaign in Uganda. The author highlight how the electoral campaigns are becoming longer and longer in the country: in 1996, the campaign period was 39 days, in 2001 it was 45 days, in 2006, ii56 days and this year it will be 112 days long. The campaign is tense, as 1,700 candidates are running for the 375 seats in the parliament, but the author believes that only 100 of them are really competitive.
• Dec 23, 2010: Uganda leader orders rival not to issue poll result, Reuters (2010) This article reports on the statements of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni regarding the next elections. The President stated that he would arrest his main opponent Kizza Besigye if he carries out his on vote count and announces the results. Museveni also stated that the electoral commission is the only authority who has the power to declare the results. The presidential elections are scheduled for February 18, 2011.
• Dec 20, 2010: Uganda: Opposition dismiss election survey, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the reaction of the opposition parties to the opinion poll released last week in Uganda. According to the poll, the ruling National Resistance Movement and President Museveni would win an overwhelming majority of the votes, while the Forum for Democratic Change would get 12% of the votes cast. The opposition dismissed the poll as “stage managed”.
• Dec 20, 2010: Uganda: Holes in 2010 Afrobarometer election poll, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article discusses the integrity of the opinion survey conducted in Uganda by the AfroBarometer firm and its Kampala partner Wilsken Agencies. The author, who has worked for the latter agency in the past, argues that the recent opinion poll regarding the 2011 presidential candidates is biased. According to the poll, Yoweri Museveni is supported by 66% of the voters, while the opposition candidate Kiiza Besigye would only get 12% of the votes.
• Dec 17, 2010: Uganda: EC warns government officials, The New Vision (2010) This article reports on the Electoral Commission's warning to government officials regarding the use of public resources for their electoral campaigns. The campaigns was officially launched yesterday, and the EC immediately pointed at the electoral law: sections 25 of the Parliamentary Elections Act states that "no candidate shall use government or public resources for the purpose of campaigning for elections".
• Dec 17, 2010: Uganda: EC releases names of nominated legislators, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the release of the official lists of the nominated candidates in Uganda. The Electoral Commission released the list with the names of the candidates and their party affiliations, dividing them in the three categories: women and directly-elected MPs and LC5 chairpersons. 2,080 candidates will run in the 2011 elections: 1,214 will run for 15 political parties and 886 are independent candidates.
• Nov 30, 2010: Uganda: Electoral Commission silent on Kawooya’s disputed nomination, Daily Monitor (2010) This article talks of Commission's on the nomination of a candidate for the General election from the Sembabule District after allegation of her academic qualifications not being at the required standard.
• Nov 30, 2010: Ugandan opposition sees 'flawed' election next year likely, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the statement of the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change regarding the next elections in Uganda. According to the leader of the FDC, Doctor Kizza Besigye, there are strong indications the government will “inherently” rig next year’s general election. The voter registration activities in the past months, for example, were not credible at all according to Doctor Besigye.
• Nov 23, 2010: Uganda: Voter turn-out could decide poll, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the preparations for the elections in Uganda. According to the author and to many experts, a key factor that will influence the outcome of the election will be the voter turnout. Currently, here are 13.98 million registered voters in the country (in 2006, approximately 10 million registered), and the Electoral Commission is currently revising the national register to erase "ghost voters".
• Nov 19, 2010: Uganda Opposition Decries Intimidation, Harassment Ahead of Elections, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the accusations of the major opposition party in Uganda of intimidations. The Forum for Democratic Change and other opposition groups denounced the fact that they cannot use the state broadcaster and some private televisions and radio stations in their campaign. The general elections are scheduled for February 18, 2010.
• Nov 05, 2010: Uganda: Guidelines on poll coverage by the media launched, Daily Monitor (2010) This article talks of new guidelines on media coverage of elections launched by the Electoral Commission of Uganda's Chairperson Badru Kiggundu. At the launch the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation was cautioned on favoring the ruling party at the expense of the other parties.
• Oct 26, 2010: Uganda's Museveni, Besigye set for third electoral face-off, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the Uganda electoral officials' decision to allow President Museveni and chief rival Besigye to run in the next presidential election. Many other candidates registered, but experts believe that Mr. Besigye is the only real challenge to his former-ally Mr. Museveni. Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, and won three elections since the introduction of multi-party polls in 1995.
• Oct 14, 2010: Uganda: Voters register not ready yet - Electoral Commission, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the voters' registration in Uganda. The Electoral Commission has not yet published the controversial final voter register. In August, the EC announced the registration of 15,002,720 voters, but it turned out that 159,419 had registered more than once. Next week, presidential candidates will be officially nominated.
• Oct 06, 2010: Uganda: Electoral Commission not ready for elections - report, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article presents a new report released by the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa and AfriMAP on the electoral management in Uganda. According to the report, the Electoral Commission is not able to address the constant harassment, arrests and intimidation of politicians, and therefore the 2011 elections in Uganda will not meet international standards. The report also talks about the problems encountered in the voters' registration and the threats of electoral-related violence.
• Sep 24, 2010: Uganda: What do internal party elections mean to democracy? The Daily Monitor (2010) This article discusses the internal elections in a party. During the last primaries of the National Resistance Movement violence broke out, yet they represent a great model of candidate selection and internal party democracy. The NRM Electoral Commission was not not prepared and underestimated the importance and impact of the polls. The author further discusses the concept and the principles behind internal party democracy.
• Sep 22, 2010: Uganda: NRM poll investigators begin work, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article reports on the team that is investigating allegations of irregularities during the primaries of the NRM, when President Museveni was elected. The team will focus on the accusations of bribery and alteration of results.
• Sep 22, 2010: Vote recount over - NRM party, The New Vision (2010) This article reports on the recounts of votes for the primary elections in the NRM in Uganda. During the primaries, riots broke out among supporters of different candidates and one person died. The party's secretary general stated that no recount will be done, as the ballot boxes were not sealed and it is impossible to guarantee that the ballots have not been tampered.
• Sep 22, 2010: Uganda's Museveni sued over bid for fourth term, Reuters (2010) This article reports on the legal challenge against President Yoweri Museveni in the High Court. A political rival, Maguru Ruhinda, challenged Museveni's decision to run in the next year's election, for his fourth term. Ruhinda sued Museveni and his party's secretary general for his exclusion in the primary elections.
• Sep 13, 2010: Uganda's Museveni picked to run for fourth term, Reuters (2010) This article reports on President Museveni's decision to run for a fourth term. The National Resistance Movement backed Museveni's candidacy for the 2011 presidential elections. Experts believe that this time it will difficult for Museveni to win the elections, as supports at home is falling. Museveni will face the main opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye, leader pf the Forum for Democratic Change party. Besigye, Museveni's former political ally, used to be his doctor during the war.
• Sep 13, 2010: Uganda's president Museveni to stand for re-election in election next year, Bloomberg (2010) This article reports on the National Resistance Movement's decision to present President Yoweri Museveni as their candidate in the February elections. Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, when he seized power after a 5-year guerrilla war. In the past elections (2001 and 2006), observers reported fraud and irregularities and even the Supreme Court denounced them.
• Sep 10, 2010: Vote rigging and violence in primary elections sets worrying trend in Uganda, The Guardian (2010) This article reports on the political situation in Uganda. Alleged malpractice in last week's primary elections triggered a series of violent incidents in the north-western regions. The NRM primaries have been badly managed, with delays and wrong voters' registers, and this could be one of the causes. Furthermore, election malpractices across all political parties have been widely reported. These events could mean that the country will face widespread violence in the coming months and in the February 2011 general elections.
• Sep 10, 2010: Understanding causes of electoral violence in Uganda, The Daily Monitor (2010) This article discusses the causes of electoral violence in Uganda. In the primary elections of the National Resistance Movement, violence spread among NRM supporters and leaders. According to the author of this article, this could be just a taste of the things to come. In Uganda, the author continues, two of the causes of the election violence could be the "winner takes all" electoral system and the role of the controversial Electoral Commission.
• Sep 09, 2010: Uganda: Opposition coalition criticises NRM elections, AllAfrica (2010) This article reports on the Inter-Party Cooperation's criticism about the violence in the National Resistance Movement's primary elections. The opposition coalition also expressed sympathy for the victims of such violence, and condemned the fraud and malpractices that characterized the NRM elections. Mr Museveni, chairman of the NRM, replied that the party's electoral commission was responsible for the incidents, and peace it will soon be restored.
• Sep 09, 2010: Ugandan ruling party will nominate Museveni for February presidential vote, Bloomberg (2010) This article reports on the likely nomination of Yoweri Museveni as candidate for the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, in the February presidential elections. Experts believe that the NRM will easily defeat the other three candidates running. Museveni has been ruling Uganda since 1986, when after 5 years of guerrilla warfare the NRM overthrew president Apollo Milton Obote. The Supreme Court ruled that in the last two elections (2001, 2006), irregularities and fraud were widespread.
• Sep 09, 2010: Uganda must resist violence at elections, The New Vision (2010) This article discusses the reasons for the violence that surrounded the primary elections of the National Resistance Movement, the ruling party in Uganda. The author believes that those events could be a sign of the past repeating itself, and spread fear all over the country. According to the author, the movement (NRA and then NRM) that allowed Uganda to find peace again has been eroded by political maneuvering, electoral malpractices and violence.
• Sep 02, 2010: Uganda: HomeNewsNational National Candidates threaten to boycott polls, Daily Monitor (2010) This article talks about the NRM Parliamentary and local council primary elections where candidates are demanding for New ballot papers and all other voting materials must be printed and to ensure that conditions are favourable to ensure free and fair elections.
• Sep 02, 2010: Uganda:NGO to train women candidates, Daily Monitor (2010) This article talks about the Women Democracy Group, an NGO in Uganda that has began a programme to train 3000 women in 70 districts around Uganda to contest various seat in the forthcoming 2011 general elections.
• Sep 02, 2010: Uganda:Road Map to 2011 General Elections, EC (2010) This press statement talks about the steps the Electoral commission of Uganda is making towards preparations for the 2011 General elections. Key highlights of the statement are the conclusion of the exercise for Display of the National Voters’ Register, preparations for nomination of candidates, as well as other issues related to the Roadmap for the 2011 General Elections.
• Aug 16, 2010: Uganda govt must ensure elections are free and fair, Daily Monitor (2010) This article discusses the political environment in Uganda. Violence periodically erupts in some regions of the country, where pro-government forces often face the opposition. According to the author of this article, it is critical that the government take steps to build public trust in the election process and the country’s democratic institutions.
• Aug 04, 2010: Uganda: Parties want constitution amended to delay 2011 elections, The New Vision (2010) This article discusses the Ugandan political parties' request to change the Constitution to postpone elections from February to July. The parties are worried that the dismantling of the Electoral Commission might destabilize the elections.
• Aug 03, 2010: Uganda: Kayihura reveals Police's 2011 polls plan, The New Vision (2010) This article reports on the Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura's decision to release the security plan of action for next year's elections. Maj. Gen. Kayihura stated that a series of new strategies have been developed to prevent violence during the elections, but also to guarantee a lawful and proportional use of force. The Irish government will assist in the training of the Police officers.
• Jul 21, 2010: Uganda: Prisoners may not vote in 2011 elections, The New Vision (2010) This article reports on the Electoral Commission's voter registration updates. The EC announced that probably inmates will not be able to vote in the next year's presidential and parliamentary elections. As a matter of fact, currently there are no provisions for holding registration in detention centers.
• Jul 21, 2010: Uganda: Forum for Democratic Change starts village elections in all regions, The Independent (2010) This article reports on the initiative of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The FDC is holding village elections in preparation for the 2011 national elections, setting up grassroots structures and carrying out leadership training. This exercise started on June 27 in the Northern regions, and all regions will be covered by July 12. The independence and credibility of the Electoral Commission in Uganda was strongly criticized in a report by the US Secretary of State earlier this year, and the credibility of the 2011 elections was undermined. For this reason, the FDC is determined to work for the transparency and fairness of the upcoming polls.
• Jul 20, 2010:
• Jul 01, 2010: Uganda:Election date set, Daily Monitor (2010) A road-map for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections have been unveiled by the Electoral Commission in Uganda. The elections will be held between February 12 and March 1 and the candidate nomination process will begin on October 25.
• Jun 18, 2010: Uganda:Kabaka bolsters EC call for voter registration, The Independent (2010) The Kabaka of Buganda has encouraged people to register to vote in preparation for next year's elections.
• Jun 18, 2010: Uganda:Gen. Aronda's Warning, a Recipe for 2011 Election Disaster, All Africa (2010) This article discusses concerns over political violence surrounding the 2011 elections in Uganda.
• Jun 16, 2010: Ugandan vote boss says won't resign despite pressure, Reuters Africa (2010) The Uganada's election commission, Badru Kiggundu, has said he will not resign despite increasing pressure. Opposition parties have said they will block the upcoming elections unless Kiggundu leaves the post.
• May 27, 2010: Uganda: Arrests, rain mar Mukono polls, Daily Monitor (2010) At least 14 people, all supporters of Democratic party candidate Betty Nambooze have been arrested and detained for unknown reasons as by-elections in Mukono North continue, reports say. Ten of the arrested youth were rounded up by police from various places in Mukono district while the remaining four were picked from Nakiyansa area, in Seeta.
• May 25, 2010: Uganda:FDC starts voter education exercise, Daily Monitor (2010) Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will today start a voter sensitisation drive across the country ahead of next year’s general elections. The party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, will lead the drive that starts with a regional conference in Arua Town. It is aimed at educating voters about their rights, electoral processes, party manifesto as well throw more light about Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC), according to the spokesperson.
• May 25, 2010: Uganda:Promote women participation in voters registration, Monitor (2010) On May 3, the Electoral Commission (EC) embarked on a one-month nationwide voter registration exercise hoping to register 3.5 million voters who have attained 18 years and above but who had never registered with the EC, the majority of whom are women. This was preceded by the reorganisation of polling stations that took place early this year.
• May 07, 2010: Uganda:Violence and youth participation in politics, Daily Monitor (2010) The youth in Uganda have been at the forefront of political change since pre-colonial times. In the tumultuous post independence period, more youth held guns to kill, and they were killed too. They were both the perpetrators of political violence and the victims of it.
• May 06, 2010: Uganda:After districts, MPs okay nine new counties, Daily Monitor (2010) Only a day after Parliament sanctioned the creation of 15 new districts, lawmakers yesterday went a step further and endorsed a government request to create nine new counties.The decision, which came after heated exchanges from the opposition and government, effectively increases the number of MPs for the next Parliament.
• May 06, 2010: Uganda:Parliament passes poll law reforms, Daily Monitor (2010) The government breathed a huge sigh of relief yesterday after Parliament finally disposed of the last of four crucial election law reform Bills. The Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill 2009 now joins the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, the Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill and the Political Parties and Organisation (Amendment) Bill in the queue for presidential assent.
• May 05, 2010: Uganda:Lawyers’ body asks EC boss to resign, Daily Monitor (2010) The Electoral Commission chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, and his commissioners should consider resigning to pave way for a new commission that can give credibility to next year’s general elections, ...
• Apr 30, 2010: Uganda:Cabinet Approves 14 More Districts, All Africa (2010) The government yesterday tabled before Parliament a request seeking the approval of the creation of 14 new districts, even as the battle over Bushenyi's split went to court. Local Government State Minister Pereza Ahabwe told MPs that Cabinet had already endorsed the creation of the new districts, which if approved, will bring the total to 111. The new units should be operational by July.
• Apr 30, 2010: Uganda:Govt, Opposition Disagree On Presidential Poll Bill, All Africa (2010) Kampala — PARLIAMENT on Thursday began debates on the Presidential Elections Amendment Bill 2009 with the opposition calling on the Government to check the role of security agencies during elections, protection of candidates and restoration of term limits.
• Apr 27, 2010: Electoral Commission of Uganda Organises it's First TtF Workshop, BRIDGE (2010) As Uganda prepares for forth-coming 2011 General Elections: Presidential, Parliamentary, District Chairpersons and Local Councils elections, there is dare need to improve ability of field officers of the Electoral Commission of Uganda to conduct training in districts across the country. The BRIDGE curriculum has been identified by the Electoral Commission as the only fully developed curriculum to date in equipping members of staff whose primary duty is to train. A 10day BRIDGE Train the Facilitator
• Apr 22, 2010: Uganda:Parliament passes second crucial electoral law, Daily Monitor (2010) Parliament yesterday passed into law, a Bill to amend the Electoral Commissions Act (2005) which includes provisions that compel the electoral body to avail political parties engaged in an election a copy of the national voters register. The new provision now mandates the EC to hand out copies of the voters register to political parties participating in an election at least six months before the election. This is the second of four crucial electoral law reform Bills that have been passed.
• Apr 21, 2010: Uganda opposition wants election guarantees, Reuters (2010) Uganda's top opposition leader called on the international community on Tuesday to help guarantee a fair election next year and not wait till it is too late as was the case with Kenya's post-election bloodletting.
• Apr 17, 2010: Uganda:GENERAL UPDATE OF THE NATIONAL VOTERS’ REGISTER, EC (2010) Whereas the period for the General Update of the National Voters’ Register was earlier indicated as 15th April – 15th May 2010, a new date has been set, and the exercise shall now commence from 3rd May 2010 to 4th June 2010.
• Apr 15, 2010: Uganda: Mukono elections for May 25, New Vision (2010) A statement by EC deputy chairperson Joseph Biribonwa declared April 27-28 the nomination days. 14th April 2010 will be the cut-off date for the registration and transfer of voters.
• Apr 15, 2010: Uganda: Parliament approves changes to political parties law, New Vision (2010) PARLIAMENT on Tuesday passed the Political Parties and Organisations Amendment Bill, 2009. The Bill provides for political parties and organisations to notify the Electoral Commission of any change in the physical location of their offices. The Bill, which is one of the four tabled by the Government last December, creates the post of chairperson of the National Consultative Forum.
• Mar 26, 2010: Uganda: Lessons From Rukiga Elections, All Africa (2010) This article confirms that the parties must resolve their internal wrangles and build grassroots structures. The outcome of the March 22 Rukiga bye-election was yet another landmark on Uganda's political scene.
• Mar 22, 2010: Uganda: RUKIGA BY-ELECTION: Voting begins Daily Monitor (2010) Voting for a new Member of Parliament for Rukiga County has begun. Residents are lining up at various polling stations to cast votes for the new legislator after after their former MP Sam Byanagwa passed away three months ago.
• Mar 01, 2010: Uganda: Women stage Electoral Commission demo at Parliament, Daily Monitor (2010) This article is on the issue of mobilizing the women for the second time against the Eng. Badru Kiggundu-led electoral team that President Museveni reappointed last year despite allegations, separately confirmed by the Supreme Court, that the 2006 election that the team oversaw was rife with irregularities.
• Feb 26, 2010: Uganda: Challenges for youth participation in politics, Daily Monitor (2010) This article Uganda’s 2011 election is likely to attract an unprecedented number of youth vying for parliamentary and other electoral seats.
• Feb 18, 2010: Uganda party tells of plot over polls,Daily Nation (2010) Uganda’s main opposition has said President Yoweri Museveni is planning to deny it media access ahead of the east African country’s presidential elections in early 2011. Mr Museveni has been in power for the last 24 years and is expected to run for another five-year term. He was initially hailed for restoring the rule of law and fixing Uganda’s economy.
• Feb 18, 2010: Uganda:Opposition Criticises AG over Electoral Law Reforms, AllAfrica.com (2010) MEMBERS of the opposition on the legal and parliamentary affairs committee yesterday criticised the Attorney General, Khiddu Makubuya, and his deputy for presenting "unsatisfactory" amendments to electoral laws.
• Jan 27, 2010: Uganda: EC to re-organise Polling Stations, EC (2010) The Electoral Commission has approved a programme outlining activities that will lead to re-organisation of polling stations countrywide.
• Jan 19, 2010: Uganda: 35 women arrested over anti-EC demo, Daily Monitor (2010) The women, who belong to opposition parties under the Inter-Party Cooperation, marched to the EC office to demand for the resignation of Commission Chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu and his fellow commissioners. It was the first time a women’s group was mobilising against the embattled electoral commissioners who were reappointed last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw.
• Jan 12, 2010: Uganda: Mbale by-election a litmus test for NRM, opposition ahead of 2011, Daily Monitor (2010) A by-election scheduled for February 20 is taking place in the Mbale Municipality, which has been an opposition stronghold since 2006. While the two main opposition parties have already chosen their candidate, the ruling National Resistance Movement is yet to hold the primaries. The by-election is seen by many as a litmus test for the popularity of the ruling party ahead of the 2011 elections.
• Dec 08, 2009: Uganda: Police Force must go slow on opposition, Monitor (2009) We have seen it before—and it was replayed in Hoima over the weekend. Opposition politicians congregate to address supporters, heavily-armed Police swing in, declare the meeting illegal and spray teargas. In the attendant melee some people are injured, others break bones—but one thing is clear; our democracy has suffered.
• Dec 04, 2009: Uganda: Movement, opposition talks hang in balance, Monitor (2009) The six major political parties met in Kampala, 39 days after they first met in Ghana, in a political get-together to patch up relations ahead of the 2011 general elections. Although parties had agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding, drafted in Ghana be signed within one month, it emerged yesterday that disagreements over term limits allegedly delayed the entire process.
• Dec 02, 2009: Uganda: Electoral Commission Members Sworn in on 17th November 2009, EC (2009) Six members of the Electoral Commission have been sworn in by the Deputy Chief Justice, Lady Leticia Kikonyogo to serve a seven year term. They include Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu (Chairman), Joseph Biribonwa (Deputy Chairman), Tom W. Buruku (Member), Dr. Jenny B. Okello (Member), Steven Ongaria (Member) and a new member, Justine Mugabi (Member). The seventh commissioner, Amb. Dr. Tomasi Sisye Kiryapawo (appointed in 2006) is still serving his first term.
• Nov 30, 2009: Uganda: ‘Rwandans want to vote in Ntungamo’, Monitor Online (2009) Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Peter Kibondo Rwakifari has dismissed claims that Rwandan nationals were registering as voters in Ruhaama and Rushenyi constituencies. The RDC was responding to fears expressed by residents in the areas that Rwandans are crossing over to register for the forthcoming general elections, arguing that this may create more ghost voters.
• Nov 25, 2009: Uganda:Voter data compilation hangs in balance (Daily Monitor, 2009) A tendering process to acquire foolproof technology for voter registration and weed out ‘ghosts’ is in jeopardy following allegations of foul play by some Electoral Commission officials,14 months to the next election.
• Nov 05, 2009: Uganda: EC should be kicked out over ghosts - peers, Daily Monitor (2009) Dr Zac Niringiye, the chairperson of APRM Governing Council, said President Museveni should disband the current national electoral body and replace it with a new and independent EC which can command public confidence.
• Nov 05, 2009: Uganda:Clarification on allegations of existence of ‘one million ghost voters on the National Voters’ Register’,EC (2009) The Electoral Commission would like to refute the claims in the above articles and provide clarification on the issues raised therein as follows:
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