By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has launched the Strategic Plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections in the country.
“As the Leader of Government Business, I undertake to ensure that the required funds will be allocated to the Commission and released adequately and timely for the smooth running of the Commission and all its activities. It remains our duty as Government to allocate adequate funds for the implementation of this Plan, otherwise, it will fail and frustrate our gains in electoral democracy,” said Nabbanja.
The Electoral Commission in developing the strategic plan and roadmap aimed at strengthening public trust and confidence in the Commission and electoral processes.
The objectives of the Strategic Plan are to enhance inclusive citizen participation and engagement (including the diaspora, inmates and other marginalized groups) in the electoral process, strengthen stakeholder collaboration and engagement in the electoral process, deliver free and fair elections and referenda, ensure timely dissemination of gender responsive information and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Electoral Commission.
Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja (centre in floral blouse) flanked by Hon. Norbert Mao Minister for Justice & Contitutional Affairs (to her left) and Justice Byabakama the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (to her right) during the launch of the Strategic Plan and Roadmap for the 2025/26 General Elections
“As noted above, the Strategic Plan and Roadmap being launched today is based on five key pillars. Each pillar has clearly spelt out strategies whose full implementation will strengthen citizen participation and engagement in democratic processes; facilitate the transformation of the country from a peasant to a modern and prosperous society within a period of 30 years; and achieve the overall national development goal of increased Household Incomes and Improved Quality of Life of Ugandans by 2040, as articulated in the Uganda Vision 2040,” said Nabbanja.
She noted with gratitude that the Strategic Plan was aligned to key policy, planning instruments, international and regional development frameworks, and legal protocols such as the Uganda Vision 2040, Africa’s Agenda 2063, East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter on Democracy and Good Governance, African Union Declarations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Premier implored all stakeholders to carefully examine all the timelines as outlined in the Roadmap, and work with the Electoral Commission to smoothly implement the Electoral Roadmap for 2025/2026 general elections.
Nabbanja called upon all political players to organize themselves in accordance with this roadmap so that they effectively participate in this process.
“In line with the spirit of leaving no one behind, I wish to request the leadership and management of the Commission to continue engaging with all stakeholders as you implement the Plan. I also wish the Commission the best of luck during the implementation of the Strategic Plan and Roadmap,” she prayed.
The Government of Uganda reiterated its commitment in promoting a strong and credible electoral democracy.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners attending the launch of the 2025-2026 Electoral roadmap and Strategic Plan at Hotel Africana in Kampala
“We will, therefore, work together to achieve the common objective of a fair and credible electoral process, characterized by an informed and supportive electorate and mass participation. In order to achieve this, I call upon all political parties and organisations to organize themselves in accordance with this roadmap and undertake necessary preparatory activities so that they lawfully and profitably participate in all preparatory activities for the elections scheduled for 2025/2026,” said Nabbanja.
This Strategic Plan highlights the performance of the previous Commission’s Strategic Plan, including the successful completion of the 2020/2021 General Elections. It incorporates a comprehensive work plan and the Roadmap to the 2025/2026 General Elections, which provides detailed plans and strategies for the conduct of the next General Elections.
“It is my hope that, during the implementation of this Plan, the Commission will be able to seize any available opportunity to realize its vision of being a Model Institution and Centre of Excellence in Election Management. I urge the Commission to give special consideration to the youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and older persons,” said Nabbanja. She also noted that in launching the Strategic Plan and Roadmap, the Commission had put in place measures geared towards adapting it to the context in which it operates. The contents of the Strategic Plan, which includes 3-year Roadmap activities for the 2025/2026 General Elections, are themselves promising.
For the Strategic Plan, the Commission will focus on the following strategic themes, that is; Stakeholders’ participation, Institutional effectiveness, and Trusted and democratic elections.
“In implementing the Strategic Plan, I want to assure members of the Commission, staff, and the stakeholders at large, of the NRM Government’s commitment to support the democratic processes through the delivery of regular elections,” said Nabbanja.
The Launch of the Electoral roadmap for 2025/26 at Hotel Africana in Kampala
The Prime Minister said that the Office of the Prime Minister would fast-track the amendment/enactment of the laws and logistical requirements which would be used in the conduct of the next elections before the end of the Financial Year 2023/2024.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Nobert Mao asked the Commission to focus on civic education to make sure citizens make the right decisions.
“We need to embark on civic education not voter education because if we don’t do that then the young generation will not be in position to actively and consciously take part in elections,” said Mao.
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon appealed to the Government, particularly Cabinet and the Legislature, to ensure timely amendment and/or enactment of the relevant electoral laws in response to the dynamic changing needs of society.
The Secretary to the Electoral Commission Mulekwah R.J. Leonard said that they needed over 1.387 trillion to fully implement the roadmap and also deliver a free and fair election as demanded by the public.
Some Political Party representatives asked the Electoral Commission to organize all elections on the same day for the President, Members of Parliament and Local Councils to cut on expenditures.
End
