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NRM must have political will to implement electoral reforms ahead of 2026- activist 

Officials from the Uganda National NGO Forum and their member CSOs address journalists in Kampala on January 16,  2025. PHOTO/ BUSEIN SAMILU

What you need to know:

  •  Ms Margaret Sekaggya, the executive director of the Human Rights Centre Uganda said the reforms must be passed early enough to enable their quick implementation.

Activists under their umbrella Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) have added their voices to calls for enacting various electoral reforms by amending certain provisions in the Constitution and other Acts of Parliament ahead of 2026, arguing that it will guarantee free and fair elections.

Delivering their belated New Year’s message at their office in Kampala on January 16, the Forum leadership backed by a section of their member Civil Society Organisations said the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government must show good will by entertaining and implementing the reforms for a transparent election.

“Uganda will hold its 7th General Election under the 1995 Constitution next year. While past elections have offered lessons, challenges like voter bribery, voter intimidation, and media suppression continue to undermine the process's integrity,” Ms Barbra Babweteera, the vice chairperson of the NGO Forum said.
According to Ms Babweteera, citizen participation remains crucial, and efforts are ongoing to support voter and civic education to ensure Ugandans are informed and empowered to engage meaningfully in shaping the country's development trajectory.


The executive director of the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) said that the increasing commercialization of Uganda’s politics must be stopped by strong laws because it prompts participants to not only sell off their properties but also borrow heavily creating uncertain situations because they expect is a win.

“Commercialisation of politics has also locked out many young men and women from participating and also locked in corruption because the corruption we have today traces its routes from how men and women access political offices,” he said.
The solution to this problem, he said, is legal and civic where strong laws regulating campaign financing are enacted and voter education is intensified.

“Those in power must have the will to do these things instead of just talking about them and leaving them there. Instead of giving us rhetoric if they convene in Kyankwanzi and say we need a law of campaign finance, let it be done not just for optical purposes,” he said.

The CSOs' concerns come at a time when different political players have lined up reforms that need to be enacted and implemented ahead of next year’s general election.
Former leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga is one of the political players preparing the said reforms.

Ms Margaret Sekaggya, the executive director of the Human Rights Centre Uganda said the reforms must be passed early enough to enable their quick implementation.

The executive director of NGO Forum, Dr Moses Isooba said that all government systems need to be made functional to have a functional state free from corruption.
Meanwhile, Ms Babweteera noted that it is essential for Uganda to strengthens its commitment to people-centered development, where the priorities of the people, especially those from underserved communities, are fully integrated into national policies and programs.

She commended the government on the strides registered in the health sector, successful hosting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the ongoing implementation of the Parish Development Model.
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