AG Denies Electoral Reforms Target Opposition

Following the 2016 elections in Uganda the Supreme Court recommended a process of electoral reform be undertaken in order to improve future elections.

Three years later there are a number of reforms in the works, including the Presidential Elections Amendment Bill 2019, the Parliamentary Elections Amendment Bill 2019, the Electoral Commission Amendment Bill 2019, the Political Parties and Organisations Bill 2019, and the Local Governments Amendment Bill 2019. 

The draft legislation is now before the Attorney General who has this week spoken out to allay fears that the reforms have been designed to target opposition candidates in the upcoming 2021 elections, including popular musician Bobi Wine who recently confirmed his intention to contest the presidency.

Addressing journalists in Kampala, Attorney General William Byaruhanga stated, "The electoral reforms are not targeting individuals as the media is assuming. They are also not targeting individuals like Bobi Wine (Kyadondo East MP) because the Ugandan constitution allows for freedom of association."  

"Some people have chosen to intentionally misinform the public by way of politicking or concocting provisions which do not form part of the Bill. All the MPs have the bills," he added. 

Byaruhanga confirmed that all the recommendations of the Supreme Court had been captured and addressed some of the most common misconceptions of the draft legislation, including that it would block people from using mobile phones at polling stations and that independent candidates would not be able to work without a political party. Both, he said, were false.