EC Releases Roadmap for Kawempe North By-election

Summary:

• The Kawempe North Parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Ssegirinya Muhammad on 9th January 2025. As required by the Constitution, the by-election must occur within 60 days of notification to the Commission.

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KAMPALA: The Electoral Commission has announced the schedule for the by-elections for the Directly-elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North Constituency and the Directly-elected Councilor for Kazo-Angola Ward, Kawempe Division.

The programme commenced on Monday, 27th January 2025, with a stakeholders’ meeting and press briefing. The update of the National Voters’ Register is ongoing from 27th to 31st January 2025 in Kawempe North.

Registration and Voters’ Register Update

• 31st January 2025: Deadline for voter registration and transfer of voting locations in Kawempe North.

• 31st January – 1st February 2025: Recruitment of officials to conduct the display of the Voters’ Register.

Display of Voters’ Register

• 10th – 19th February 2025: Display of the Voters’ Register at polling stations in Kawempe Division North to allow voters to verify their particulars.

• 19th – 24th February 2025: Scrutiny of the displayed lists at parish/ward headquarters to address wrongful recommendations for deletion from the Register. Voters can object to such deletions by appealing to the Parish Tribunal.

Voter Location Slips (VLS)

• 28th February – 13th March 2025: Issuance of VLS to voters to help them locate their polling stations on polling day.

Nomination and Campaigns

• 26th – 27th February 2025: Nomination of candidates at the Office of the Assistant Returning Officer in Kawempe.

• 27th February – 5th March 2025: Inspection of candidates’ nomination papers and lodging of complaints.

• 28th February – 11th March 2025: Campaign meetings for candidates.

• 13th March 2025: Polling day for the Directly-elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North and the Directly-elected Councillor for Kazo-Angola Ward.

Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized the need for compliance with the issued guidelines to ensure peaceful and credible elections. He urged stakeholders to:

• Mobilize voters to attend campaign rallies and make informed choices.

• Avoid processions to and from campaign venues.

• Limit campaign gatherings to designated venues and not public roads.

The Uganda Police Force has been tasked with enforcing these guidelines. Political parties and candidates have been urged to promote law and order, transparency, and fairness during the electoral process.

The Electoral Commission has outlined the following measures:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Regular consultative meetings with stakeholders and candidates.

• Transparency: Candidates or representatives will be invited to witness key preparatory activities, such as packing and dispatching election materials.

• Security: Collaboration with the Uganda Police Force to ensure a peaceful environment.

• Publicity: Use of media platforms and community mobilization to enhance voter participation.

• Conflict Resolution: Creation of a City Division Liaison Committee to resolve conflicts swiftly.

• Monitoring and Supervision: Intensive oversight of all electoral activities.

• Training: Training of candidates’ agents alongside polling officials on 10th and 11th March 2025 to equip them with the knowledge to observe polling day activities effectively.

• Accreditation: Issuance of identification tags to accredited stakeholders, including five observers per ward for each participating party or independent candidate.

• Polling Register: Provision of the final Polling Register to candidates to facilitate smooth identification of voters.

• Complaints Desk: Establishment of a desk on polling day to handle emerging issues.

The Voters’ Register for Kawempe Division North will be available for purchase upon request. A CD copy costs Shs. 100,000, while the cost of a text or photo-bearing register will depend on assessed fees. Changes to the register after its display will reflect in the final version used on polling day.

The Kawempe North Parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Ssegirinya Muhammad on 9th January 2025. As required by the Constitution, the by-election must occur within 60 days of notification to the Commission. This deadline falls on 15th March 2025.

Registration and transfer of voters for the General Elections in 2025/2026 will continue in Kawempe Division North until 10th February 2025.