President Yoweri Museveni has reappointed Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, and his deputy, Hajat Aisha Lubega for another seven-year term.

Byabakama was first appointed chairperson of the commission in November 2016 and now in a January 5 letter to the speaker of parliament, Museveni has awarded Byabakama and Lubega another term in office. The new faces at the commission include Robert Kasule Sebunya, a former MP for Kyandondo North in the 9th parliament and later Nansana Municipality in the 10th parliament. Sebunya has been working as head of the delivery unit at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). 

The other new face is Dr Sallie Simba Kayunga, a political science lecturer at Makerere University. Museveni also appointed former Kioga county MP, Anthony Okello to join the commission. Museveni also reappointed former Kajara MP, Stephen Tashobya to the commission. He will serve his last term on the commission at the end of the seven-year term. Tashobya is a lawyer by profession.   

He was a member of the 8th and 9th parliament of Uganda. He rose to the limelight at parliament especially when he served as the chair of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee. Also reappointed is Pamela Etonu Okudi, who has been acting head of administration at the commission. She previously worked at the National Forestry Authority (NFA).     

The commission is expected to immediately continue the implementation of the strategic plan whose implementation began from FY 2022/23–2026/27. It should take up the process of planning for and administration of the 2025/2026 general elections. 

The implementation of the strategic plan which includes the 2025/26 general elections roadmap, was estimated to cost Shs 2.41 trillion. The 2026 general elections have been scheduled between January 12 and February 10, 2024. 

The outgoing commission had documented some of the lessons based on a review of EC’s performance in the past 5 years. One of those is the need for increased focus on civic and voter education as well as the dissemination of information through the community. The lack of civic education was raised as an issue of concern during the last elections. 

The team also suggested the need to streamline the commission’s engagement with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), ministry of Local Government and ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development concerning citizen data, creation of administrative units and workers register. By URN/The observer