Electoral Commission needs extra UGX 54.6 billion

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission a body charged with organizing elections in Uganda has said it will need an extra 54.6 billion Shillings to organize the 2021 general election amidst the COVID-19 pandemic threat.

Speaking today at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala, Sam Rwakojo, the Secretary to the Commission said that the extra money is to cater for the new measures issued by the Ministry of Health to stop the spread of the virus.

Rwakojo said that they are in negotiation with the Ministry of Finance to see that the 54.6 billion Shillings is provided at least through a supplementary budget. If this is granted, it will bring to almost 700 billion Shillings the cost of the 2021 elections.

Although the Electoral Commission came up with measures such as banning public rallies in favour of digital and media campaigning, it said for voting, people must be physically present at a polling station hence the need to procure protective equipment that will enable them to conduct a safe election.

Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission said that they are going to do everything to see that the people are not exposed to the virus because; “Dead people can’t vote,” Byabakama said.

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