Voters line up outside a polling station, in Kampala, Uganda, Feb.

The Luweero Anglican Bishop has directed priests not to contest and participate in the forthcoming Village council elections, saying it might split their churches. Bishop Eridard Nsubuga Kironde issued the directive on Sunday shortly after ordaining priests at St. Mark Cathedral Church in Luweero town.

In his speech, Bishop Nsubuga warned the priests against contesting in the LC 1 elections, saying those who want to should resign from priesthood.

ALSO READ:Muntu to stay in FDC – Full statement attached

He said that some candidates my see priests as traitors if they don’t stand behind them during the vote. The Bishop also warned the priests against voting in the polls, arguing the mode of voting by queuing behind candidates is inappropriate and may split the church.

Bishop Kironde ordained 17 lay leaders, three deacons and one parish priest whereas 30 lay leaders were put on probation.

The Electoral Commission  had planned to hold the LC I polls in November this year, but suspended them in compliance with two Court Orders issued by the High Court at Kampala and High Court at Jinja on 13^th November 2017 which were binding on the Electoral Commission

ALSO READ:Kenya’s EALA elections set for tomorrow

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In an unprecedented move, the Kenyan supreme court overturned the August 8th election results and called for fresh elections within sixty (60) days of the announcement. This was declared citing irregularities and illegalities harming the integrity of the election. Suffice to say there are as many people happy as there are sad about this verdict and turn of events. Chief Justice David Maraga noted in his now famous quote that:

“The greatness of a nation lies in its fidelity to the constitution and adherence to the rule of law and above all respect to God”

Opposition leader Raila Odinga called the decision “an unprecedented ruling and a triumph for the people of Kenya.” while Uhuru Kenyatta, the declared president elect, said of the verdict ‘The court has made its decision, we respect it.’

Kenya is the first African country to have its courts annul an election. However, some questions arise that the powers that be will hopefully address between now and the October 17th 2017 fresh elections.

• If one election was deemed invalid can the next election be trusted in its validity?
• What if the next election has illegalities too? Can the court be trusted to make the same call?
• Will a people with the history that Kenya has be able to keep the peace before, during and after the fresh elections?
• All these questions arise, and more.

Some youths approached said that electing again will be too much trouble and they will stay home on that day and not practice their constitutional right. However, many others have had their faith in the Kenyan institutions renewed by this verdict and plan to turn up in numbers come 17th October 2017 to (re)cast their vote. All camps hope for answers.

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Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has re-echoed the need for the government to table electoral reforms early to avoid past mistakes.

Kadaga said that the pursuit for electoral reforms started in the 9th Parliament with a call for a complete overhaul of the electoral system and institutions.
“A lot of consultations and recommendations were made but the process was interrupted by the preparations and the actual elections of February 2016,” she said.

The Speaker made these remarks while opening a conference on “Reflections on the 2016 Elections” held at the Protea Hotel on.

Kadaga added that following the elections, local and international observers made recommendations for electoral reforms for free, fair and credible elections.

“I hope these recommendations are followed and the reforms made sooner than later,” she said before adding that, “The Supreme Court in its ruling on the 2016 election process also underscored the need for structural and legal reforms which could create a conducive atmosphere for free and fair elections”

The Speaker called on government to table the reforms not later than the Third Session of the 10th Parliament to avoid the panic that comes with delays.

“The House is ready. I encourage the MPs to bring their own motions and not wait for the government. Let us bite the bullet and move with our own proposals,” Kadaga stressed.

The Secretary of the Electoral Commission, Sam Rwakoojo said that if the laws are passed late, the Commission is not in position to help the persons involved in the election process.

“The Supreme Court made its ruling. We have only three years from the date of that judgment to the time government should present the reforms. We need these laws in place,” he noted.

Margaret Sekaggya Executive Director Human Rights Centre Uganda.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Centre, Margret Ssekagya said that the Attorney General has to make recommendations from the judgment and present them to Parliament.

“We hope the AG takes up his role, lobby and encourage government to adopt the recommendations which will then be tabled before Parliament and later implemented if passed,” Ssekagya said.

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Godfrey Kiwanda

Elections for new leaders of the Buganda parliamentary caucus today flopped after MPs turned rowdy and started trading insults. Out of over 100 MPs, about 45 turned up for the elections with others in support of holding the elections while others wanted cancellation.

The meeting chaired by former Buganda caucus chairperson Godfrey Kiwanda later agreed to call off the elections until the members are educated on what the caucus is and its roles before members can decide on the leadership.

Masaka municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga proposed the calling off of the elections which was backed by many on grounds that most of the members can then participate. Three members Cissy Namujju (Kalungu woman) and Nsamba Kumama (Bbale) led by Mpuuga have now been elected as interim committee to spearhead the retreat and organize for polls in a months’ time when it’s thought most members will be around and participate in the elections.

Six candidates including Muyanja Senyonga (Mukono south), Theodore Sekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Betty Nambooze (Mukono municipality), John Bosco Lubyayi (Mawokota south), and Lillian Nakatte (Luweero woman) among others for the position of chairperson.

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Yusuf Mutembuli who contested on Independent ticket in the last parliamentary election and lost to Bunyole East MP Moses Nagwomu Musamba (NRM) had been  threatening to drag his opponent to  court over election irregularities but he shifted to challenging qualification of his political rival. Nagwomu says Yusuf Mutembuli has defamed him on a lot of issues including an issue that he, Nagwomu, did not go to school to attain the minimum required academic qualifications for one to contest for Member of Parliament.

Nagwomu’s lawyers M/s Ochieng associated Advocates and Solicitors recently wrote to Moroto high school authorities inquiring if their client attended and sat Uganda certificate of education (UCE), with details pertaining to the year he sat and any other relevant documents. To that effect, the Moroto high school head teacher Father John Bosco Kutegana replied on June 24, 2016 with certified lists showing his admission number, UCE registration number bearing the name Musamba Moses as having been one of the students that sat senior four national examinations of 1993, a copy seen by journalists at parliament.

Mutembuli however, could not be reached to give his side on the allegations.

Musamba Nagwomu won senior MP Emmanuel Dombo in the NRM primaries last year, eventually taking the Bunyole east parliamentary seat general elections.

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Peter Sematimba

Busiro south elected Member of Parliament Peter Sematimba  of the ruling NRM party has been thrown out of Parliament for lack of academic qualifications, by the high court. One of Sematimba’s political rivals in the February elections Steven Ssekigozi  of the opposition  Democratic Party-DP, dragged him  to the courts of law challenging his papers. In his  petition  Sekigozi asked court to  nullify Sematimba’s  election on grounds that he only possessed  a
certificate issued by the East African Examination council in 1978 which can not be equated to Advanced level certificate which is the minimum requirement for one to contest for a parliamentary seat.

Sematimba however told court that his papers were cleared by the National Council of Higher Education which issued him a Certificate of Equivalence that he presented to Electoral Commission during parliamentary nominations.

But High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe last week ruled that the NCHE wrongly issued Sematimba with the certificate adding that his candidacy was therefore illegal. The court has now ordered fresh elections for Bisiro South.

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Melyvn Lorenzen, Werderbremen striker has not yet decided his commitment with Uganda

The 21-year-old will not feature in Africa Cup of Nations qualification match when Botswana will take over Uganda Cranes on Saturday June 4, 2016.

“Decision time [for Lorenzen] will be after the match against Botswana,” Uganda FA communications manager Ahmed Hussein said.

He impressed for Uganda Cranes in a 2-0 defeat friendly match played with Zimbabwe  at Rufaro stadium in Harare on Tuesday.

Lorenzen was born in London and qualifies to play for both Uganda and German through his father and mother respectively.

Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic praised the contribution Lorenzen had made during his time with the squad.

“We shall definitely miss the extra impetus he would have brought to the team as we saw in the friendly match against Zimbabwe,” the coach said.

“So for now we shall concentrate on the able players we have in the team to accomplish our mission.”

The coach will be worried about the fitness of striker Faruku Miya, who plays in Belgium for Standard Liege, after he missed the loss to Zimbabwe with concussion.

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The match was played in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification match with Botswana scheduled June 4th 2016.

A brace from Tennage Hadebe in the first half  gave the Harare stars more confidence ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualification match with Malawi while pondering Crane’s chances ahead of Botswana.

Melvyn Lorenzen was given his debut chance to shine in Uganda Cranes jersey and was very impressive.

Cranes will continue with their preparation in Zimbabwe before traveling to Botswana on June 3rd 2016.

The Cranes first eleven that took part in the game include; Robert Ondongkara (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walsuimbi, Isaac Isinde, Murusgid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Luwagga Kizito, Yassar Mugerwa, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Lorenzen Melvyn, Emmanuel Okwi

Substitutes;Denis Onyango, Joseph Ochaya, Aucho Khalid, Tony Mawejje, Edris Lubega, Erisa Sekisambu and Davis Kasirye.

Meanwhile, at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Kenya, the visitors Sudan held ten-man Kenya to a 1-1 draw after  second half substitute Francis Kahata was sent off for a second bookable offense on the 90th minute.

Nazar Hamid put  Sudan in the lead twenty four minutes into the game against a run of play, a scoreline which stood into the interval.

However, the Harambee Stars showed resilience and equalised in stoppage time through Mandela header from Victor Ali Abondo free-kick.

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According to the Country director of  Alliance for Election Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM)  Henry Muguzi the money spent by all candidates in the campaign race amounted to 2.4 trillion shillings. The report further shows that the said money was highly spent in districts of Kampala, followed by Luwero and Masaka. Muguzi says this money was spent in forms of donations and religious institutions like churches and mosques are the main beneficiaries.

Meanwhile the alliance has appealed to both of the ministry of justice  and electoral commission to cause enactment of a law to regulate campaign financing, best definition of voters bribery and also enforce the Political Party and Organisation act.

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West Budama south MP Jacob Oboth challenged the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah to forge a way of harmonizing their relations if they are to succeed in their new assignments as given to them by parliamentarians. Oboth who stood for deputy speakership but withdrew to allow the status quo as requested by NRM CEC, says the two officials need to learn a lesson from their campaigns and start working towards unity.

Oboth who has been chairing the parliamentary committee on rules, disciplines and privileges noted that if the two do not have team work, they will be working towards their own downfall. He says now that elections are over and MPs have already been sworn-in, the public wants services as pledged by all those who were seeking for votes during campaigns and therefore parliament must ensure that government programs are given priority.

Kadaga and Oulanyah have not been in good  relations which forced Oulanyah to stand for speakership though he later bowed out after CEC resolved to maintain the status quo.

The status quo has remained for the leadership of parliament as the speaker Rebbeca Kadaga and deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah retained in their seat. Kadaga went through unopposed as Jacob Oulanyah won with 300 votes against Mohammed Nsereko who got 115 votes out of 416 MPs participated in voting and 1 invalid vote. 11 members of parliament did not turn up for voting the speaker and deputy speaker. The elections were conducted as the president was watching on in fear that there could have been a change of heart by NRM members of parliament to shun NRM candidate for the deputy speaker and vote Mohammed Nsereko.

After winning the deputy Speaker post, Jacob Oulanyah pledged to work with the speaker Kadaga and added that the contest for deputy speakership humbled him and taught him humility. Mohammed Nsereko while accepting the defeat said that there will be no independent parliament when members of parliament are poorly paid.

While speaking soon after the handover of instruments of power to the deputy speaker President Yoweri Museveni said that parliament has passed the test, especially the NRM Members of Parliament, who would have gone for another candidate and leaving out the party candidate. He denied claims that the deputy speaker Oulanyah is a puppet and said that he had to attend today’s meeting because he thought that since this parliament is full of younger legislators, like that of 1962, they would be misguided and repeat the mistakes of the past which would cause the parliament and government to collapse. He defended giving NRM members of parliament 5 million each, saying that it was not corruption but the money was given to them to cope up with the problems of the society and he vowed to fight corruption in the term of office.

The Member of Parliament for Ntenjeru north Amos Lugolobi says that the president should walk the talk against corruption. The member of parliament of parliament for Bukomansimbi south county Deogratias Kiyingi says that method used for  the election of the deputy speaker should be borrowed and used in other elections because it was free and fair.

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