Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon Unveils Campaign Guidelines for Kawempe North By-Election

Ahead of the highly anticipated Kawempe North By-election scheduled for March 13, 2025, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda, under the leadership of its Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, has released comprehensive campaign guidelines for parliamentary candidates. These guidelines aim to ensure the election is conducted with transparency, fairness, and in adherence to Uganda’s legal and electoral frameworks.

The guidelines, published in February 2025, offer a detailed roadmap for the conduct of political campaigns and emphasize the importance of upholding legal and ethical standards during the election period. These provisions are designed to guide candidates and stakeholders in avoiding electoral malpractices while promoting a level playing field for all participants.

Key Provisions of the Campaign Guidelines:

Legal Frameworks: The guidelines reference essential laws such as the Constitution of Uganda, the Electoral Commission Act, and the Parliamentary Elections Act. These laws create a foundation for the regulation of the electoral process, ensuring campaigns are carried out within the bounds of the law.

Campaign Time and Procedure: Each candidate is required to submit a detailed campaign schedule to the Returning Officer to ensure there are no overlapping campaign meetings in the same parish. Furthermore, campaigns must be conducted within regulated hours, with the official campaign period ending by 6:00 PM daily.

Freedom and Protection for Candidates: The guidelines guarantee candidates freedom of expression and movement during the campaign period. However, the use of inflammatory language or statements inciting violence, hate, or division is strictly prohibited.

Rights to Media Access: Candidates are granted the right to publish campaign materials, both in print and electronic formats. The guidelines emphasize the need for truthfulness in these materials, forbidding the use of defamatory or false statements.

Use of Government Resources: The use of public resources, including government office facilities and state-owned media, is restricted during campaigns. Candidates may not use such resources unless permitted by law, thereby ensuring equal access to campaigning opportunities.

Bribery and Illegal Acts: Bribery in any form—whether through money, gifts, or alcohol—is prohibited. Candidates found guilty of bribing voters or soliciting votes through illegal means face significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

False Statements and Character Defamation: The publication of false statements regarding a candidate’s health, death, or withdrawal from the race is outlawed. The guidelines also prohibit defamatory remarks concerning a candidate’s character or their campaign promises.

Non-Sectarian Campaigning: The guidelines stipulate that campaigns must not exploit tribal, religious, or ethnic divisions. Candidates are forbidden from using symbols or language that could incite sectarian tension or foster division among voters.

Penalties for Violations: Candidates and their agents who breach these guidelines face severe penalties, ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation. This ensures that the electoral process remains free from corruption and malpractice.

Posters and Campaign Materials: The guidelines highlight the importance of respecting campaign materials, stressing that they should not be removed, defaced, or destroyed by unauthorized individuals.

This provision ensures that all candidates can campaign fairly without interference. As the by-election approaches, these guidelines reinforce Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon's commitment to promoting transparency and fairness in Uganda’s electoral processes. By enforcing these rules, the Electoral Commission seeks to create an environment where all candidates have an equal opportunity to present their platforms to voters and where the electoral results reflect the true will of the people.

Candidates and their supporters are urged to familiarize themselves with the full set of guidelines to ensure compliance and avoid any disruptions that could jeopardize the integrity of the election. With these clear and structured rules in place, the Electoral Commission aims to ensure that the Kawempe North By-election is conducted smoothly, peacefully, and within the law.