EC Chairperson voices concern over funding shortfalls, ahead of 2026 Polls

7 April 2025, 3:19 pm

By Our Reporter

The Chairperson Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama, has expressed dismay over significant funding shortfalls that could put 2025-2026 electoral process in jeopardy .

According to the budget, the upcoming 2026 General Elections will cost government Shs838 billion.

The largest portion of this budget, Shs158.2 billion, is earmarked for the printing of ballot papers, while Shs26.6 billion will be allocated for the transmission of election results from across the country to the national tally center.

Byabakama, clarified that this budget does not include other electoral activities or the day-to-day operations of the Commission.

The budget for the 2015-16 general elections was Shs476.58 billion, while in 2020-21, it was Shs765.7 billion. For the 2025-26 elections, the proposed budget is Shs838.709 billion.

“In the 2025-2026 financial year, the government has allocated Shs594.916 billion of the projected Shs774.632 billion. It is important to note that some electoral activities remain underfunded or unfunded, requiring an additional Shs179.716 billion,” said Byabakama.

The Electoral Commission attributed the rising election costs to several factors, including an increase in the voter population, the number of polling stations, new city units, inflation, the integration of ICT into elections, and the inclusion of special interest group selections.

“The general election budget has been steadily rising. For example, in the 2010-2011 general elections, the budget was Shs299.534 billion,” Byabakama said.

Among the unfunded activities are the elections of Local Council I and II, women’s councils, and the required Shs14.3 billion for by-elections arising from the general elections. An additional Shs3.018 billion is needed for continuous voter education.

Byabakama noted the government has extended the term of office for these administrative units through Statutory Instrument No. 37 of 2022.

He noted that the Commission plans to conduct elections for these units alongside the elections of women and council committees in the 2025-26 financial year, immediately following the general elections and before May 12, 2026, when the current government term expires , but funds have been allocated for these elections in the 2025-26 budget.

Byabakama explained that Electoral Commission’s initial budget proposal of Shs140.801 billion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, presented on January 17, 2025, did not account for the costs of the general elections, creating a funding gap of Shs623.904 billion.

However, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) has since been adjusted, with Shs594.916 billion allocated, leaving a gap of Shs179.716 billion.

The Commission is also requesting Shs62.060 billion for the construction of new headquarters, following its eviction from the Kampala offices to make way for the Kampala Flyover project.

In addition, Shs1.651 billion is needed for the construction of regional offices and storage facilities, while Shs5.998 billion is required to settle domestic arrears.

Concerns from MPs.

However, the Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu , has raised concerns about the timing of such a major construction project during an election year.

“Is it advisable to undertake such a significant capital project in an election year, especially one that requires large resources? There are also concerns about the Commission’s ability to oversee the project while managing elections,” Katuntu questioned.

He further expressed doubts about whether government would continue to fund the Commission’s requests for permanent office space after the elections, citing the tendency of Ugandans to lose interest in issues once the elections are over.

Other unfunded costs include staff wage enhancements Shs12.468 billion, general administration Shs6.887 billion, facilitation of national consultative forums Shs2.85 billion, and capital assets is Shs3.349 billion.

The Commission is also seeking to settle a long-overdue wage enhancement installment of Shs10.436 billion, which was due in the 2019-2020 financial year.

The list of unfunded activities have sparked calls for a joint meeting between the Legal Committee, the Ministry of Finance, and the Electoral Commission.

Katuntu questioned whether someone was deliberately withholding funds until the last minute to force the Commission to act under pressure.

Stephen Baka, Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, said there is need to have a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and the Electoral Commission to address these funding concerns and ensure the elections are adequately financed.