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EC to block able-bodied candidates seeking PWDs’ seats

EC chairperson, justice Simon Byabakama appears at Parliament in 2023. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Commissioner Dr Ssali Simba Kayunga, who represented EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, said those faking disabilities or presenting those outside the code will be rejected

The Electoral Commission (EC) will rein in able-bodied contestants seeking People with Disabilities (PWDs) seats in the 2026 polls after receiving reports that impostors had plagued the constituency which is classified under the Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

The national coordinator for PWDs, who is also Wakiso District chairperson, Musa Musinguzi, said during the election period, several able-bodied Ugandans fake disabilities in order to vie for their seats, citing the last General Election where he received several complaints.

“A physical disability is supposed to be visible, not presumed, but during the last General Election, some impostors went through in such an unscrupulous manner,” Musinguzi said during a stakeholder engagement workshop organised by the EC at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday.

He added: “A contestant in Kaberamaido (Teso Sub-region) faked his disability, we investigated, took him to court and he lost the seat. Other cases were discovered in Luweero and Tororo Districts, and in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

“Whoever has plans of faking disability this time should not try doing so; I appeal to voters to take keen interest in whoever expresses interest in contesting as a PWD by ensuring that they have physical disability and not faking it.”

Some of the impostors, according to Musinguzi, present swollen umbilical cords, erectile dysfunctions or slightly deformed fingers, which he said aren’t disabilities.

The workshop was one of a series of simultaneous stakeholder engagements across the country in preparation for the commencement for the general update of the voters’ register from January 20 to February 10.

The discussions involved the importance of the general update of the national voters’ register, including the legal framework, role of the stakeholders in this exercise, and roles, rights and responsibilities of stakeholders in ensuring that the general update of the national voters’ register is conducted seamlessly and effectively.

Commissioner Dr Ssali Simba Kayunga, who represented EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, however, said those faking disabilities or presenting those outside the code will be rejected.

“We are approached by men who say some parts of their bodies don’t function well and want to be classified as disabled, while another says he has taken three months without eating meat because their teeth aren’t good. We have no law for that and shall only go with the law,” said Dr Simba.

He added that for one to register as a citizen, they need a letter stamped by the area LC1 chairperson, and warned them against soliciting money from anyone seeking verification as a citizen. “If you solicit for money, you will be denying a Ugandan the right to vote.”

Sam Agaba, a programmer at the EC, says PWDs fall under coded categories, including physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, amputation or paralysis; hearing disability (deafness, hard of hearing); visual disability (blindness, low vision); deaf and blind; mental disability (psychiatric and learning); little people; albinism and multiple disability.

According to Agaba, Older Persons are 60 years and above and are identified by date of birth which is derived from the national voters’ register.

Agaba said a procedure is needed during the exercise for consistency, efficiency and to reduce errors.

“The procedure for the update exercise will see first-time voters filling a form (Form 3), and parents’ particulars to prove citizenship, references by LC1 and Sub-county Internal Security Officer (GISO), and enrolment of biographic and biometric particulars,” said Mr Agaba.

The EC Spokesperson and Head of Public Relations, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, said during the workshops, the presentations and discussions focussed on informing the country about the importance of this exercise and what is going to be entailed in the general update of the national voters register.

“There was discussion on what will happen, for instance, that those who have never registered as voters will have an opportunity to do so, and also, that those who are registered but would like to check their particulars and their correctness are able to do so.

“Also, to enable those who would wish to make transfers from one polling station to another to be able to do so, and to enable students who were registered by NIRA and have now turned 18 (years) to be registered as voters, allocated polling stations, and exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders.”

Mr Mucunguzi described stakeholder engagement as “a core element in the EC strategic plan”, adding that it is the basis upon which all the major elements on the roadmap for the 2025/2025 General Election is anchored.

The Kampala workshop drew stakeholders from the districts of Buvuma, Buikwe, Wakiso, Mukono and Kampala, who included government officials, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations, among others.

EC chairperson Justice Byabakama, in a speech read for him by Commissioner Dr Simba, said since the launch of the roadmap, the Commission has conducted continuous voter education through outreaches to communities, schools and other target groups using field-based staff and with support from the head office.

Other activities, he said, include; implementation of the programme for the demarcation of Local Government Council Electoral Areas, reorganisation of polling stations countrywide to enable voters to conveniently cast their votes, and identification and mapping of PWDs on the national voters’ register, among others.

“On this note, I wish to assure the people of Uganda that the implementation of the roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections is on course.

“It is now at critical stages with the issuance of the programme for the general update of the national voters register in each Parish/Ward countrywide in line with Article 61 (1) (e) of the Constitution,” Justice Byabakama said, adding that the exercise will be conducted from 8am to 6pm each day, including weekends.

Jonathan Kimanje, in-charge of Election Management at the EC, says the purpose of cleaning the national voters’ register is to inspect it for “accuracy and completeness” as objections will be raised about inclusion and omissions of some people from the voters’ register, which will be corrected in good time.

He explained that categories for removal from the voters’ register include the dead, less than 18 years, neither reside nor originate in parish, those who registered more than once, and those who left the area.

“The display takes 21 days (January 20 to February 10, with cut-off being February 11), after which there will be a period of natural justice, during which those erroneously removed from the voters’ register will be given a form to fill and be reinstated at a period to be announced by the EC.

“After the 21 days, it is within the law that we have the period of natural justice for 16 days, and during this time, we shall have a tribunal appointed by magistrates,” said Kimanje.

Henry Rugumira, who represented the elders’ council in Wakiso District, said the National Council for Older Persons Act (2013) describes those above the age of 60 years as “elderly”, which he says carries negative connotations.

“The word ‘elderly’ carries negative connotations, and to some may mean one who is frail and dependent to do anything. ‘Older’ is in the Act and is more respectful,” said Rugumira.

Mandate

The EC is established under Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution, and is mandated under Article 61 of the same Constitution to, among others, ensure that regular, free and fair elections and referenda are held.

Since its establishment, the EC has organised and conducted six general elections (1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021), two referenda on political systems (2000 and 2005), and several Parliamentary and Local Government Council elections and by-elections.

On August 2, 2023, the EC launched its strategic plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and the roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections to enable the Commission to improve, among others, stakeholder participation in the implementation of electoral activities.