The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission has declined to nominate presidential aspirant John Katumba for failure to pay the required nomination fee of 20 million Shillings. According to the Presidential Elections Act, as amended in 2015, an aspirant can only be nominated after showing proof of payment of the money.
Before the amendment in 2015, an aspirant had to pay eight million Shillings but would receive 20 million Shillings from the Electoral Commission to facilitate their campaigns. But this and the distribution of vehicles for the candidate were abolished in the amendment.
Speaking before declining to nominate Katumba, Justice Simon Byabakama, the presiding officer said without proof of payment, he couldn’t go on with the nomination. “In the absence of that proof I can’t proceed to have you nominated, may the agents please approach the table to have back your documents,” Byabakama said.
Paul Bukenya, the spokesperson of the Commission said that Katumba has up to tomorrow to make the payments and they will be ready to nominate him. He then ordered those in charge of protocol to escort him out of the premises.
Earlier, Katumba had to run to the nomination centre at Kyambogo University cricket playground after his car got a flat tyre. For the remainder of the journey to Kyambogo, he and his seconder had to run after police initially denied entrance to them.
What is left to be seen is whether Katumba will show up tomorrow to be nominated before the closure of the exercise.
