HISTORY OF ELECTIONS IN UGANDA

A Brief History of Elections in Uganda 1958-2021

 

INTRODUCTION

Historically, Uganda is among the few African countries with a heritage of kingdoms and chieftainships characterized by centralized leadership systems. Under this system, hereditary leaders administered their societies through institutionalized councils, for example the Lukiiko in Buganda Kingdom, or the Orukurato in Bunyoro and Tooro kingdoms (assemblies that had representatives drawn from each clan and other royal appointees), and the Council of Elders in other pre-colonial communities.

In either case, the representatives had to meet prescribed criteria to qualify to rule or represent the people. Hence the concept of legitimacy of leadership is not a new concept. However, elections have since become the basis of ensuring legitimacy of government, as those who are governed express their consent through (regular) elections.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ELECTIONS IN UGANDA (1958 TO-DATE)

The practice of leaders assuming office through elections in Uganda can be traced to pre-independence period, when the British colonial­ government made a statute that allowed Africans to participate in local elections starting with the Legislative Council (LEGCO) which was a precursor to Uganda’s independence in 1962.

1958

Following the enactment of the Legislative Council (Elections) Ordinance, No. 20 of 1957 on October 16 1957, the Colonial Government organized the first direct elections in Uganda in 1958, which were characterized by Limited African/Ugandans franchise and representation to the Legislative Council (LEGCO).

In the same year, the government convened a Constitutional Conference that debated the preparations for independence. The Governor, Sir Andrew Cohen, appointed Hon. J.V. Wild, the Colonial Administrative Secretary, to chair a committee to recommend the form of elections and the functions of members of LEGCO which would be introduced in 1961. The Wild Committee was also to determine the number of seats in the LEGCO, their allocation among the Protectorate regions, and to set up structures to organise elections leading to independence

1961

In March 1961, the Colonial Government organised direct elections, in which two political parties, namely, the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) contested. Buganda Kingdom boycotted the elections, and insisted on its demand to have its representatives elected by the Lukiiko, its local legislative assembly. DP won the elections with 43 seats, while UPC got 37 seats; hence DP formed the first ever internal self-government, headed by the Chief Minister, Benedict Kiwanuka.

1962

The 1961 elections were considered unrepresentative because of the boycott by Buganda; hence the Colonial Government organized fresh elections in 1962. Buganda Kingdom was granted its request to hold indirect elections and its Lukiiko [local assembly] nominated 21 representatives to the National Assembly, who represented the Kabaka Yekka (KY) Party.

On 25th April 1962, the Colonial Government organized the National Assembly Elections, in which DP won 24 seats, while UPC won 37 seats. UPC made an alliance with KY Party who had 21 representatives, and formed a UPC-KY government, headed by UPC’s Milton Obote as the first Prime Minister of Independent Uganda.

1964 AND THE FIRST REFERENDUM IN UGANDA 

In 1964, the new government organized the first Referendum in Uganda, in accordance with provisions of the 1962 Constitution, to determine whether the counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, (which had been transferred from Bunyoro Kingdom to Buganda Kingdom in 1894-95 by the colonial administration) should remain in Buganda or be returned to Bunyoro. Voters in the two counties overwhelmingly voted to return to Bunyoro Kingdom.

1964-1980: ABEYANCE OF ELECTIONS 

Although the 1962 Constitution had provided for holding elections after every five years, this did not happen; post-independence elections scheduled for 1967 were not held because of the effects of the political crisis of 1966, which saw the abolition of kingdoms in Uganda and establishment of a Republic. The anticipated elections of 1971 were canceled by Idi Amin when he took power through a military coup, and abolished the Constitution. From 1971 until 1979, Uganda was ruled by decree.

1980-1985

After the overthrow of Idi Amin’s military regime by the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) in 1979, the transitional government, the Military Com­mission, appointed an Electoral Commission headed by Kosiya M.S. Kikira, to organise and conduct General Elections in 1980. Other members of the Commission were: S. Egweu, Kera A. Bilali, and M. Matovu, with Vincent Sekkono as the Secretary.

Four (4) political parties participated in this election held on 10th and 11th December, 1980, namely, the Conservative Party (CP), the Democratic Party (DP), the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) and the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC). Four ballot boxes were used at each polling station, one for each political party.

At the closure of polling, Mr. Muwanga Paulo, the Chairman of the ruling Military Council, took over control of Electoral Commission, and declared he was the only one to announce the final election results.

UPC was eventually declared winner of the elections; however, DP and UPM dis­puted the results; and a guerilla war ensued, involving several fighting groups opposed to the UPC government led by Apollo Milton Obote.

The government was overthrown in a military coup on 25th July 1985, just as preparations for General Elections were underway.

In January 1986, the National Resistance Army (NRA), led by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, overthrew the military government and established the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

1986-2005: MOVEMENT SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE

For the period between January 1986 and July 2005, Uganda had a ‘no-party’ system of governance also known as the Movement system, which considered individual merit as a basis for election to political office, and not party affiliation.

1988: The UGANDA CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION 

In 1988, the National Resistance Council (NRC), which served as the Parliament, enacted Statute No.5 which established the Uganda Constitutional Commission (UCC) to collect views on constitutional issues from the population and institutions, and draft a new constitution for Uganda.

The Commission comprised of 21 members and was chaired by Justice Benjamin Odoki, with Prof. Dan Mudoola as Deputy, and Fr. John Mary Walligo as Secretary. After nationwide consultations, the Odoki Commission produced a draft Constitution in 1993.

1989: RESISTANCE COUNCIL (RC) ELECTIONS FOR EXPANDED NRC

In February 1989, country-wide elections were held to expand the 38-member National Resistance Council (NRC), which served as the Parliament at the time, to a membership of 270, comprising 38 historical members, 149 County Representatives, 19 City/Municipal Council Representatives, 20 nominated members, and 34 District Women Representatives.

The election mode was by lining up behind the candidate of choice, while electoral colleges were used to fill positions at Local Government Councils.

1993

The Government appointed a Commission for the Constituent Assembly (CCA) for the purpose of organizing elections of delegates to the Constituent Assembly (CA), representing all constituencies in Uganda which debated and passed the Draft Constitution.

The CCA had Mr. Stephen Akab­way as Commissioner, and Vincent F. Musoke- Kibuuka as Deputy Commissioner, in Charge of Technical Affairs while Gladys M.K. Nduru (Mrs) was Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Finance and Administration.

1994 CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 

The CA elections were held in March 1994; the delegates debated the draft constitution and finally promulgated a new Constitution for Uganda in October 1995. Article 60 of the new Constitution provided for establishment of a permanent Electoral Commission with a mandate of organizing, conducting and supervising regular elections and referenda.

1996

An Interim Electoral Commission (IEC) was appointed by government to organise the 1996 General Elections. The IEC was chaired by Stephen Akabway, with Mrs. Flora Nkurukenda as deputy. Other members of the Commission were: Charles Owor, Margaret Sekajja, Philip Idro, Syda Bumba, and Aziz K. Kasujja. This Commission organized the 1996 Presidential and General Parliamentary elections, which were Uganda’s first general election in 16 years.

1997 - ENACTMENT OF  THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION ACT (1997) 

Parliament enacted the Electoral Commission Act in May 1997, hence establishing a permanent and independent election management body to organise, conduct and supervise elections and referen­da. This marked a significant achievement for the revival of democratic governance in Uganda.

The EC Act provided for appointment of a Commission comprising seven members, to serve for a seven-year term, which could be renewed only once. The first permanent Electoral Commission comprised Hajji Aziz K. Kasujja (Chair­man), Flora Nkurukenda (Deputy) and five commissioners, namely, Ted Wamusi, Robert K. Kitariko, Nassanga H. Miiro, Charles D. Owiny, and Mary I.D.E. Maitum, with Mr. Muwonge Andrew as the Secretary.

In 1999, the Commission adopted a management structure with directorates and technical departments, and also established permanent district offices to han­dle continuous voter registration and other election related activities at the district level.

In 2000, Mary Maitum was appointed High Court Judge, and Sr. Margaret Magoba, was appointed as the seventh member of the Commission.

1998-2002

In accordance with the Constitution, the Kasujja-led Commission organized the 1998 Local Council Elections, the Referendum on Political System (July 2000), in which voters chose to retain the Movement system of governance; the 2001 General Elections and 2002 Local Council Elections as well as several by-elections during the period 1997-2002.

2002

On November 17, 2002, a new Commission was appointed, with Eng. Dr Badru M. Kiggundu as Chairperson and Sr. Margaret Magoba as Deputy Chairperson­. Four other commissioners were appointed, namely: Tom W. Buruku, Stephen D. Ongaria, Dr. Jenny B. Okello, and Joseph N. Biribonwa, with Mr. Sam Asiimwe Rwakoojo as Secretary.

This Commission was responsible for organising and conducting all the elections, by-elections and a referendum during the seven-year period (2002-2009).

THE 2005 REFERENDUM ON POLITICAL SYSTEM 

In the referendum on change of political system, held on July 28, 2005, Ugandans voted to adopt a multiparty system of governance. 2005 - The Political Parties and Organizations Act 2005 

THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ACT 2005

Following results of the July 2005 plebiscite, was enacted. It provided, among others, for the registration, regulation and organisation of political parties and organisations. The Act entrusted this oversight role to the Electoral Commission.

THE 2005/2006 GENERAL ELECTIONS

In February 2006, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Sisye Tomasi Kiryapawo, was appointed the seventh member of the Electoral Commission, and in the same month, the Commission successfully organized the first multi-party General Elections in Uganda since 1980.

Seven parties sponsored candidates for the Presidential Elections while nine (9) and thirteen (13) parties fielded candidates for Parliamentary and Local Council Elections, respectively.

2009

In 2009, the term of office for members of the Commission was renewed for a second 7-year period, except for Sr. Magoba, who retired. A new member, Justine Ahabwe Mugabi (Mrs) was appointed as Commissioner, while Joseph N. Biribonwa was appointed Deputy Chairperson.

THE 2010/2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS

The 2011 General Elections were the second to be successfully organised by the Electoral Commission under a multi-party dispensation in Uganda. The elections, in which voters elected leaders from diverse political backgrounds, were described as testimony to the commitment of Ugandans to pursue peaceful and democratic means of determining their leaders.

THE 2015/2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS

The 2016 General Elections were the third in Uganda to be organised and conducted after a return to a multi-party political dispensation ushered in by the Referendum. This election period witnessed a higher level of improvements and was better conducted compared to the 2006 and 2011 General Elections as attested by the Presidential Election Court Petition and Judgement (2016), largely due to legal amendments and consolidation of the gains and lessons learnt from previous General Elections and implementation of best practices in Election Management.

Some of the new Innovations during the 2016 General Elections included:

a) The Voter Location Slips, a simple print-out (on hard paper) of a voters’ bio-data, photograph and details about his/her voting location, whose aim is to ease identification of one’s voting location and minimized time spent by voters in locating their polling areas.

b)  SMS Facility, where voters could get to know their voting location by sending a mobile Phone SMS containing their National ID, Voter or Application Number to 8228 as well as direct inquiry using the same information on the Electoral Commission website www.ec.or.ug

c)  The use of Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS), to improve identification of voters through biometrics. This ensured that no one voted more than once in a particular election. It also directed a voter where he/she was to vote from in case he/she was not registered at a particular polling station in a particular District;

d)  The Electronic Results Transmission and Dissemination System (ERTDS) was used to improve the way results were electronically managed at the District and at the National level.

One of the fastest evolving systems in the Electoral Commission is the Technical Information and Technology operations geared towards improving and easing the delivery of its mandate. The Commission has since been ensuring that its technological initiatives match with modern technological demands present in the entire electoral cycle as well as in the overall general administrative sectors of the Commission.

2016

On 17th November 2016, Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu and Commissioners Dr. Joseph N. Biribonwa (Deputy Chairperson), Dr. Jenny B. Okello, Mr. Steven D. Ongaria, Honorary Consul Tom W. Buruku, and Mrs. Justine Ahabwe Mugabi, concluded their term of office.

JANUARY 2017 TO-DATE

A new Commission comprising Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama (Chairperson), Hajjati Aisha Lubega (Deputy Chairperson), Mr. Peter Emorut, Mr. Stephen Tashobya, Nathaline Etomaru and Hajji Mustapha Sebaggala Kigozi, was appointed and sworn into office 17th January 2016. Mrs. Justine Ahabwe Mugabi (Commissioner 2009-2016) was appointed as a member of the Commission for a second 7-year term.

THE 2020/2021 GENERAL  ELECTIONS 

The 2021 General Elections were the fourth to be successfully organised by the Electoral Commission (EC), under a multi-party dispensation in Uganda. The elections are remarkable as they were held amidst peculiar challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The peaceful conclusion of these elections, in which voters elected leaders from diverse political backgrounds, at Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Council levels, is testimony to the strong and determined spirit of Ugandans to pursue peaceful and democratic means of determining leaders.

The successful completion of the Roadmap for 2021 General Elections can be attributed to the Commission’s well-timed adoption of a Strategic Plan in 2018 for the period 2018–2021. Under this Roadmap, the Commission undertook effort to build and strengthen linkages with various stakeholders in the electoral process, to achieve a peaceful and successful exercise.

The Roadmap was implemented in a phased manner during which the Commission undertook various administrative and logistical activities to professionally and efficiently organise and conduct the elections. Some of these activities include the procurement of specialised equipment, materials software and motor vehicles, the re-organisation of polling stations, the general update of the National Voters’ Register using new biometric technology, display of the National Voters’ Register, and printing of the final Register, bearing 18,103,603 registered voters of whom 9,504,391 (52.5%) were female and 8,599,212 (47.5%) were male.

The Commission further issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the various election activities (pre–nomination, nomination, campaigns and polling day) to address the unique health and safety challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SOPs incorporated measures and guidelines put in place by the Ministry of Health and the outcome of consultations made by the Commission with various stakeholders in the electoral process to prevent and combat person-to-person, person-to-object and object-to-person spread of the COVID-19 -19 during the conduct of election activities.

Voter PopulationThe Voter turn up trends  during elections in Uganda  since 1980

 

CONCLUSION

The struggle for independence was an expression of a demand for self-determination, and elections were considered a critical means of achieving agreeable and representative leadership. Six decades later, the Electoral Commission continues to facilitate Ugandans to have a say concerning political, economic and social direction the country should take.

The Commission has been resilient and has successfully delivered its Constitutional mandate through the following foundational strengths:

a) An experienced and knowledgeable work force;

 Consensus of the members of the Commission in decision making processes and policies aimed at improving the delivery of its mandate;

c). A strong and professional working relationship between the Commissioners and members of Management;

d). Government commitment to funding the implementation of the General Elections as a project over a period of three (3) Financial Years – called the Roadmap;

e). A sound Constitutional and legal framework;

f). Good working relations with the various stakeholders in the electoral process.

The Commission reiterates a deep commitment towards promoting participatory democracy and good governance for the country’s prosperity, and call upon all Ugandans to support us so that together, we consolidate the gains so far achieved, and build an even better electoral system for an even stronger democracy.