Buyende residents petition EC over alleged recruitment bias

Residents of Buyende District have lodged a formal petition with the Electoral Commission (EC), alleging political interference in the recruitment of part-time election officers.

The petition, signed by concerned citizens Isaac Mukisa and Byabali Dawson, accuses local officials and aspiring politicians of manipulating the process to favor allies ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The petition claims that Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Akello Betty, Assistant RDC Emmanuel Kabenge, and Isabirye Sharif are orchestrating the inclusion of individuals loyal to Minister Milly Babalanda and Member of Parliament Moses Magogo in the recruitment process.

The two politicians are said to be eyeing the Budiope West and Budiope East parliamentary seats, respectively. Evidence, including photos, social media posts, and audio recordings, has reportedly been submitted to back these accusations.

According to the petitioners, the alleged interference contravenes Article 62 of the Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Electoral Commission.

They also argue that the recruitment of politically biased individuals violates the commission’s mandate to ensure free and fair elections as stipulated under Article 61.

The petition further alleges that some shortlisted candidates have a history of misconduct, including embezzlement of election funds and failure to deploy polling assistants during past elections. For instance, Bigumirwa Swaibu from Kidera Town Council is accused of mismanaging funds meant for polling assistants in the 2020 elections, while Birali Stephen from Buyende Sub-county allegedly withheld resources meant for polling officers in a previous exercise.

Additionally, the petition questions the eligibility of several candidates, claiming they do not meet residency requirements or the moral integrity standards outlined in the EC’s recruitment guidelines.

Twebaze Veronica, a candidate from Buyanja Sub-county, is cited as an example, with claims that she resides in Kidera Town Council, outside the area she seeks to represent.

The petitioners argue that allowing such individuals to oversee elections would undermine the integrity of the process and erode public trust. They demand the immediate disqualification of all accused candidates and call for a transparent review of the recruitment process to ensure impartiality.

The residents also allege that local officials have influenced the removal of experienced electoral supervisors perceived as unsupportive of the political ambitions of Babalanda and Magogo. Such actions, they contend, are aimed at consolidating political control ahead of the elections.

The petition, dated November 20, 2024, has been copied to the Secretary of the Electoral Commission, the Regional Election Officer for Kiira Region, and the District Election Officer for Buyende. It includes detailed evidence in the form of video recordings, WhatsApp messages, and social media posts allegedly implicating the shortlisted candidates.

This development raises serious questions about the independence and integrity of the electoral process in Buyende. The petitioners insist that their concerns be addressed before interviews for the part-time election officer positions commence, warning that failure to act could jeopardize the credibility of the 2026 general elections.

As the country prepares for the polls, the Electoral Commission now faces increased scrutiny to ensure that the recruitment process remains free from external influence and aligned with constitutional principles. The Commission has yet to respond to the allegations.