The Ugandan Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has called for a substantial increase in funding for the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure timely preparations for the 2026 general elections.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, has recommended an allocation of Shs756.988 billion to address delays in the electoral roadmap, which are seen as potentially jeopardizing the scheduled election processes.

During the presentation of the committee’s report on the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ policy statement and budget estimates for the fiscal year 2024/2025, Hon. Rwakoojo stressed the critical nature of adhering to the planned activities and timelines outlined in the electoral roadmap. “Most of these activities have statutory timelines and are sequential; any delay could severely impact the execution of free and fair elections,” she explained.

The report, which was discussed and approved in a plenary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Friday, April 12, 2024, also addressed other pressing issues. Parliamentarians highlighted the government’s unfulfilled promise to allocate Shs11.16 billion for enhancing remuneration at the commission, a commitment made back in 2017.

Furthermore, the committee suggested an additional budget of Shs3.50 billion to cater to the allowances of part-time teachers at the Law Development Centre (LDC). This allocation aims to mitigate the effects of insufficient funding that have plagued LDC’s operations.

Acknowledging the staffing challenges within the justice system, the committee also endorsed a Shs11.407 billion budget to recruit more state attorneys. This move is intended to alleviate the significant backlog of cases and improve government representation in legal matters.

Kalungu West County MP, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu, voiced strong support for these recommendations, emphasizing the dire need for more resident state attorneys, especially in lower courts. “The absence of state attorneys has not only prolonged the detention of individuals at police stations but also highlighted the urgency of implementing these critical budget enhancements,” he stated.