Are They Inviting Jesus? Uganda Electoral Commission Demands For Shs 500M To Organize Prayers Ahead Of 2026 Elections

Electoral Commission wants a whooping Shs1.119trillion to organize successful 2026 general elections. The Commission which has since released the electoral roadmap says it wants to start on the activities leading to the general elections.

Members of parliament on the Legal and Parliamentary affairs committee have however raised concerns over the Commission’s huge budget for the elections and the Shs500m to organize national prayers for the peaceful 2026 general elections which they say is blatantly unnecessary and tantamount to wastage.

These further say it’s wrong for the electoral commission to seek Shs18bn for private lawyers yet those paid by government in the commission can handle the electoral petitions filed against the commission in the aftermath of the elections.Museveni came to power following an armed uprising in 1986 and banned political parties in Uganda.

The ban was lifted years later in a referendum, paving the way for a multiparty system. Today, all political parties have constitutions that require them to hold internal elections and elect leaders who participate in national elections.Elections are one of the leading causes of instability in Uganda.

The electoral commission, security forces, institutions in charge of electoral disputes, media professionals and even ordinary citizens are all potential perpetrators of violence.As Ugandans prepare to go to the polls in 2026, the involvement of security agencies in the electoral process is a given.

In addition, it appears that all issues arising from a flawed electoral process, an inadequate legal framework, a partisan electoral commission combined with the mistrust of political actors and citizens are resolved by security agencies. This reality perpetuates the partisan role, presence and participation of the security service in the electoral process.

The increasingly political and partisan role that security forces and agents play in the electoral and wider political process in Uganda is what should be addressed.The NRM’s internal elections have been characterised by chaos, intrigue and big-man/politician influence.

There have been several instances where party candidates and supporters clashed at campaign rallies or polling stations. Top party leaders, ministers and errant legislators have been named as being behind sinister plans of fomenting violence, with some bodyguards openly drawing guns at rival supporters and stoning convoy cars.

Poll results have been challenged in the party’s internal tribunal and through the Ugandan courts. After the chaotic 2020 parliamentary primaries, disgruntled party candidates filed 460 petitions.

These complaints included an unusual one; pitting Museveni’s brother and daughter against Sam Kutesa, the father-in-law of his army general son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.