By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, has today 24, January 2025 spoken out on the imminent bye-election for Kawempe North MP.
Byamukama while giving an update on the ongoing National Voters register update revealed that the late Muhammad Ssegirinya’s Seat shall be replaced in the next 60 days as the Constitution stipulates.
He added that the road map for the by-election will be rolled out on January 27, 2025 in Kawempe Division, Kampala City.
On the Voters update, Justice Simon Byabakama noted that there is need to raise awareness and mobilize the population so as to have a free and fair election come 2026.
He added that the exercise which commenced on January 20, 2025 will end on February 10, 2025 which is the set cut-off date.
He said the exercise is aimed at enabling persons who have turned 18 years and above to register, and also enable registered voters make transfer to polling stations of their choice.
“A person is supposed to register individually or personal and his or her photograph is taken there plus the thumb print and signature.
‘Already registered voters are allowed to check the correctness of their particulars.
“Students who were registered by NIRA while at school should present their NIN to be registered in the voters register so long as one has turned 18 years. Therefore, children who have turned 18 years- this is their opportunity to register.
“Changing date of birth and names is not allowed during the ongoing update of the Voters’ register.’
Justice Simon Byabakama revealed that the ongoing update of voters register has been hampered by inadequate registration kits revealing that NIRa provided the commission with on 2703 registration kits yet the commission requires 5000 registration kits to do the exercise effectively.
“Since the registration kits are not enough the update is done on rotation basis. The update teams are supported by the Commission’s troubleshooters to handle technical issues.
Justice Byabakama also revealed that they have put in place a system for receiving and handling complaints arising out of the voters update exercise.
“It is only first time applicants who are supposed to get recommendation from the Gombolola internal security officer (GISO). First time applicants are required to confirm citizenship. While learners registering for the first time are not required to confirm citizenship so as long they have NIN from their respective schools.
“Only verified voters will appear on the voters register. No applicant or citizen is supposed to pay for recommendation letter at either LC1 or at the office of Gombolora Internal security officer (GISO).
He further decried low turn up of citizens at the various update centers.
In his conclusion, Justice Byabakama appealed to Ugandan citizens to support the Electoral Commission in its efforts to carry out a credible peaceful election come 2026.
