Opposition MPs shun vetting of new EC team

Leader of Opposition, Ms Winnie Kiiza and Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu addressing journalists at parliament on Monday. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA

What you need to know:

  • President Museveni last month appointed a new Electoral Commission ending speculation on who would replace the Dr Badru Kiggundu led one.
  • Opposition members have questioned the credibility of the new EC team saying it'll be biased in favour of Museveni like the team they are replacing.

Members of the Opposition in parliament on Monday boycotted vetting of new Electoral Commission (EC)

Museveni appoints Justice Byabakama new Electoral Commission Chairman

Justice Byabakama is to be deputized by Hajjati Aisha Lubega, with Peter Emorut, Stephen Tashobya, Prof George Piwang and Mustapha Ssebagala as members of the Commission

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According to the Leader of Opposition, Ms Winnie Kiiza, the ongoing vetting is illegal.
“Our boycott is not a mere waste of time. We are representing our people. Let the people of Uganda know that President Museveni is a liar. He appointed a commission that is in his favour,” said Ms Kiiza.

President Museveni last month appointed a new EC team headed by Justice Simon Byabakama ending speculation on who would replace the Dr Badru Kiggundu led one.

READ:

Unanswered questions as Kiggundu leaves office

It emerged just months ago that President Museveni had assigned Dr Badru Kiggundu to supervise works on the construction of Karuma dam. This led to questions on why it was Dr Kiggundu had been assigned the task. These questions were being raised because there were suspicions that Dr Kiggundu was being rewarded for tilting the 2016 election, writes Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi.


The other appointees include Hajjat Aisha Lubega (vice chairperson) and commissioners Peter Emorut, Steven Tashobya, Prof George Piwang and Mustapha Ssebaggala Kigozi. The new appointees, if approved by the appointments committee of parliament, will join Ms Justin A. Mugabi whose tenure at EC is yet to expire.

Commenting on the appointment of the new EC team, former presidential candidate

‘Debate on EC leadership useless without reforms’

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye has scoffed at President Museveni’s recent appointments of Electoral Commissioners describing it as “irrelevant” as the FDC announces countrywide rallies calling for change

under the current system, the “new” EC like other institutions “can only service the dictator”.
“I have been seeing the debate about the Electoral Commission whether these are good commissioners or not. It is an irrelevant debate,” he said.
He urged Ugandans not to be excited about the leadership at the electoral body but focus on electoral reforms.
“It doesn’t matter, they will all be some form of Kiggundus regardless of whether they have big or small eyes,” he said.