Kigezi stakeholders push for political, electoral reforms in Uganda’s constitution

KIGEZI, UGANDA: Representatives from different political parties, academia, religious leaders, electoral commission, human rights commission, rights activists and Non-Governmental Organizations in Kigezi Sub-region have today suggested five political and Electoral Reforms proposals in order to bring about the much-needed change and strengthen the idea of democracy as per the electoral laws and the constitution.

This was during the stakeholders meeting held on Monday, June 19, at Heras Country Resort in Kabale municipality, western Uganda. The meeting was organized by Kick Corruption out of Uganda in partnership with Uganda National NGO Forum, the Kabale District speaker Flavia Nyinakiza Kanagizi, the Forum for Women in Democracy field officer Dorothy Kesiime and the Kabale District Vice Chairperson Miria Tugume Akankwasa recommended that there is a need for the restoration of age and term limits for presidential and parliamentary leadership and banning monetization of politics.

Other electoral reforms that were proposed are the need for attitude change among electorates, conducting massive civic education during electoral processes and reducing the number of Members of Parliament and ministers.

They added that once the five proposed electoral reforms are considered, it will help to enhance the democracy and electoral system of Uganda.

Speaking during the same meeting, the Western Regional Electoral Commission coordinator Robert Beine said that the Electoral Commission is sometimes overpowered and disregarded by some political figures from different areas which sometimes results in electoral malpractices adding that there is a need for electoral changes.

The Executive Director of KICK corruption Out of Uganda Robert Kakuru Byamugisha said that the proposed electoral reforms will be considered at a high-level engagement between the Parliament, Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs and other stakeholders before it can be discussed by cabinet and later forwarded to Parliament to come up with electoral bills.