Byabakama Retained As EC Chairman, As Political Space Heats Up 

President Museveni has nominated three new members to Uganda’s Electoral Commission to superintendent over the 2026 general elections.

These are Makerere Political Science and Public Administration lecturer, Dr Ssimba Ssali Kayunga, former Kyoga County MP Anthony Okello and EC’s Acting Head of Administration, Pamela Etonu Okudi.

The president, however, retained EC chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Hajjat Aisha Lubega (deputy chairperson); and Stephen Tashobya and one of the commissioners we are yet to identify.

This follows the expiry of the existing Commission’s 7-year term of office.

The nominees will be vetted by Parliament before their inauguration.

The Electoral Commission was set up under Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution.

The 7-member Commission consists of the Chairman, Deputy Chairperson and five other members appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament and a Secretariat headed by the Secretary.

Before President Museveni’s nominations, the Commission had only 6 members following the retirement of  Commissioner Justine Mugabi Ahabwe, whose last term of office ended last year.

In  a statement issued on Tuesday, the Management and Staff of the Electoral Commission congratulated the Members of the Commission on the successful completion of their term of office for the period 7th January 2017 to 7th January 2024.

“During this period, members of the Commission provided strategic leadership and policy direction that facilitated the overall organisation, coordination, and implementation of electoral programmes and activities,” said EC.

Byabakama’s team presided over the 2021 general election and had also rolled out the 2026 roadmap.