President Yoweri Museveni has put forward three new names for nomination to the Electoral Commission, a crucial move ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 general election in Uganda.
Among the nominees is Dr. Ssimba Ssali Kayunga, a distinguished lecturer in Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University. Dr. Kayunga’s nomination underscores a potential shift towards academic expertise in the electoral process.
Joining him are Anthony Okello, former Kyoga County Member of Parliament, and Pamela Etonu Okudi, the Acting Head of Administration at the Electoral Commission. The nominations are seen as a strategic move by President Museveni to infuse new perspectives and experiences into the electoral management body.
President Museveni has also decided to retain some key figures in the Electoral Commission, notably the current chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, his deputy, Hajjat Aisha Lubega, Commissioner Stephen Tashobya, and one additional commissioner.
However, the commissioners’ tenure, including that of the retained members, officially ended on January 7. This has resulted in a temporary halt to all policy-related activities within the Electoral Commission, highlighting the urgency of the nominations.
Article 60 of the Constitution, which established the Electoral Commission, prescribes a seven-year term for commissioners, renewable once. Notably, Clause 4 of the same article mandates the president to renew the mandate of an incumbent commissioner three months before the end of their term. Legally, Justice Byabakama and his colleagues are no longer eligible for reappointment.
The role of the Electoral Commission, as outlined in the Constitution, encompasses the organization, conduct, and supervision of elections and referendums. As the country gears up for the 2026 general election, the Commission is actively engaged in implementing its electoral roadmap.
