UgandaToday: Electoral Commission Under Fire as Three Bukedea Aspirants Barred from Contesting Against Speaker Anita Among
By Uganda Today Staff Writer
Source: www.ugandatoday.co.ug
EC Bars All Rivals to the Speaker
In a development that has reignited debate over the independence of Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC), the Commission’s Secretary has informed the High Court that three women who intended to contest against Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among were struck off the Bukedea District voters’ register.
The affected aspirants — Mercy Marion Alupo (National Unity Platform – NUP), Norma Susan (Forum for Democratic Change – FDC), and Hellen Akol Odeke (Independent) — had all declared intentions to vie for the Bukedea Woman Member of Parliament seat in the forthcoming general elections.
According to the EC’s submission to the court, the deletions were based on recommendations from the Electoral Commission Tribunal, which concluded that the trio “did not reside within Bukedea District.”
The ruling, effectively disqualifying all three challengers to the incumbent, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition groups and civil society activists who have described it as a politically motivated purge of legitimate candidates.
Critics Question EC’s Neutrality
Opposition politicians have reacted angrily, saying the Commission’s action undermines Uganda’s democratic process.
“Disqualifying all three opponents of the Speaker on residency grounds reeks of selective enforcement and political interference,” said one opposition lawyer, who requested anonymity. “If this isn’t proof that the Electoral Commission has become a political arm of the ruling establishment, what is it?”
Many have drawn parallels with past electoral cycles where ruling party-backed incumbents benefited from EC decisions that appeared skewed against their challengers.
Local voters in Bukedea expressed disappointment, saying the decision limits their democratic choice. “Every election, we are told our votes matter,” said a resident. “But how do they matter if candidates are deleted from the register even before campaigns begin?”
A Pattern of Power Protection
Observers argue that the latest development follows a worrying pattern where the EC is seen as protecting politically powerful figures from electoral competition.
“The EC’s constitutional mandate is to act independently and uphold fairness,” noted a Kampala-based political analyst. “But the Bukedea case once again exposes the fragility of that independence when high-profile names are involved.”
As the High Court examines the legality of the Commission’s decision, the case is likely to set a precedent for how far administrative decisions can go in shaping Uganda’s electoral field.
EC’s History of Controversy
Past Electoral Commission Flashpoints
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Amuru Woman MP Race (2011): The EC was accused of bias after opposition candidate Lucy Akello’s complaints of vote rigging were ignored, despite glaring irregularities.
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Kyadondo East By-Election (2017): NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) accused the EC of initially frustrating his nomination process before a public outcry reversed the decision.
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Lwemiyaga MP Race (2021): EC faced criticism after declaring a result while vote recount petitions were still pending in court.
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Kashari North (2021): The EC was criticized amid reports of tallying disputes and alleged local interference, which independent candidates said compromised the fairness of results.
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Bukedea LCV Elections (2023): The Commission again came under scrutiny after reports emerged of ballot stuffing and intimidation during local elections—ironically in the same district now under spotlight.
These episodes reinforce the growing perception that the EC’s independence remains fragile, especially when powerful state actors or ruling party figures are on the ballot.
What Lies Ahead
As pressure mounts for transparency and institutional integrity, Uganda’s electoral credibility remains on trial. Civic groups are calling for the EC to publish the Tribunal’s findings that led to the deletions, and to allow an independent review of such politically sensitive decisions.
If unchecked, analysts warn, the Bukedea disqualification saga could embolden similar administrative eliminations elsewhere, further eroding public trust in the Commission ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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