Clerics irked by delayed electoral reforms

By Innocent Anguyo and Norman Katende

DURING every election cycle, many religious congregations find themselves wondering what role, if any; they can play in the political process.

For example, can a minister, pastor, priest, reverend, imam or other member of the clergy speak on political issues of interest to voters? Answers to these and many other questions are contained in this story.

Clergy under their umbrella body, the Ugandan Joint Christian Council (UJCC) have expressed profound concern over government's delay to pass electoral reforms.

UJCC is an ecumenical organisation established in 1963 to provide a platform for its members to work towards greater mutual understanding and unity of purpose. UJCC provides a forum to articulate and address issues of common concern including peace building, health, and education, social and economic justice.

Addressing the press at UJCC offices at Nsambya in Kampala, Rev.Fr. Dr Silvester Arinaitwe, the UJCC executive secretary on Wednesday scoffed at government for failing to table the bills for electoral reforms in parliament, barely five months before nomination of candidates for 2016 general elections.

"It is a matter of grave concern for that up to this time which is barely five months to the period set by the Electoral Commission for nomination of candidates and campaigns for various elective positions, government has yet published the bills on electoral reforms," said Arnaitwe.

Arnaitwe argued that government's delay to table proposals for electoral reforms is causing discomfort to Ugandans.

"Elections provide opportunities for Ugandans to assert their power by electing their political leaders. As we approach the next general elections in 2016, Ugandans expect the government to heed to the lawful demands of Ugandans for electoral reforms," said Arinaitwe.

"These demands are lawful and legitimate and are informed by discomforting experiences with the elections of 2001, 2006 and 2011 that were characterised by disenfranchisement of voters, voter bribery, intimidation violence and other electoral malpractices."

Although government has acknowledged the need for electoral reforms, Arinaitwe said it was utterly inexcusable for it to delay tabling electoral reforms, especially after the proposals have been in the works for a while now.

Questioning the rationale behind the delay, Arinaitwe said: "What is particularly discomforting is the fact that the government has had more than four years to do the necessary groundwork. Are some people in government sleeping on their job or are those concerned deliberately delaying the process of electoral reforms."

UJCC is urging government to prioritise the publication of electoral reforms so as to give Ugandans reasonable time to discuss and propose changes in the interest of ensuring free, fair and credible elections.

"We would like to urge every Ugandan to embrace the challenge of nation building by actively participating in actions aimed at influencing the way the country is governed. We call upon every citizen to exercise their constitutional obligation of demanding accountability and using power given to him or her under the constitution to work for a better Uganda funded on the principles of unity, peace, freedom, democracy, equality social justice and progress," added Arinaitwe.

He equally noted that UJCC will not support anything less than "legitimate move that is aimed at promoting free and fair elections."