Henrietta Wamala Nairuba one of the two Uganda women who contested for the position of President for the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) has won.

The other contestant was Lydia Natoolo. The voting took place over the weekend and results were announced at a dinner on Sunday evening.

On-site electronic voting was conducted Saturday, September 4, 2021, starting at 12:00pm and stopped at 6:00 pm and on Sunday, September 5, 2021, starting at 9:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm.

The details of the other contestants for various events are yet to be made available from sources in the USA due to the time zone differences.

Other contestants for key positions were UNNA vice-president; Albert Bakasara, Joan Bavuga and Mpiima Mugambe. NAA Executive secretary; Lambert Etibot, Maureen Asiimwe, Kalemba Abu-Baker and Mulumba Ssalongo. UNAA treasurer; Elvis Nsereko and Eric Gombya

Florence Bazanye the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA)–Electoral commission chairperson said the commission had completed certifying candidates.

Bazanye announced recently when the candidates were now officially cleared to campaign. “The 2021 UNAA campaigns are now officially open,” Bazanye said.

She said the commission received 43 nominee applications and 42 were cleared. She explained that one candidate did not meet the requirements and could not be cleared.

The candidates seeking to run were required to provide several documents and information: These included; position sought, name and contact information, current physical address, city and state of residence. Other items required were; current email, statement of past or current activities within UNAA or another local organization, Government issued photo ID, copy of driver’s license, state ID, passport bio-data page. They required the manifesto for the candidates and names of three seconders.

To meet the costs of the electoral process, there is a non-refundable nomination and certification fee. 

Candidates for the office of president paid $300 (sh1m), vice president $250 (sh883,000), secretary $200 (sh707,000), treasurer $200 (sh707,000), youth representative $25 (sh88,000) and regional representatives$75 (sh265,000).

A UNAA member who is in good standing in accordance with the Constitution, having paid or renewed membership no later than August 15, 2021, was eligible to vote for a candidate of their choice.

Voters  were  required  to  identify  themselves  using  either a United  States or  Canadian  government issued photo identity that includes voter’s name as listed in the voter’s register, and city and state for US based voters or province/territory for voters based in Canada.

Voters who change their residence after their initial registration have the duty to inform the EC, not later than August 15, 2021.

Registered voters aged between 18 –30 years will be eligible to vote for youth representatives.

A final list of eligible voters were published on the UNAA website. The UNAA Constitution provides that elections for elective positions are to be conducted during the UNAA annual general meeting.

Elections will be conducted electronically on computers, on-site at a designated voting/polling center.

Computers will be provided for voters at the on-site voting center. Instructions on how to vote will be posted at the voting center and technical assistance will be available, if needed.

The EC reminded all candidates and voters that UNAA's balloting process, for any office, is based on individual merit.

Campaigning on election day within 100 feet (33 meters) of the election center is prohibited.

A candidate or candidate’s campaigner/s who break/s this regulation may cause the disqualification of the candidate from the election.

A candidate will have an opportunity to formally present individual manifestos in a recorded video, not exceeding 15 minutes, which on request will be posted on the official UNAA website.

The deadline for candidates to submit their videos to the EC will be August 01, 2021.

The EC chair will announce the results of the election at the Sunday evening dinner on the last day of voting.