The process of acquiring a new home is on course - Uganda Independent EC Chairperson

KAMPALA - The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama, has today officially handed over the former EC premises to the leadership of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

UNRA is set to demolish the facilities on the land at plot 65 Jinja Road, Kampala, after compensating the Electoral Commission with over 23 Billion UGX to pave way for the ongoing development of the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project (KFCRUP). The official handover ceremony was held at the former EC head office on Tuesday morning.

According to Leonard Mulekwah secretary to the Electoral Commission, having been guided by H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, it was the right time to move away from Plot 65 Jinja Road, Kampala after 27 years. He also revealed that they have always yearned to move away from the swampy area since 2004 and wondered why a certain section of the public was always skeptical why the EC never wanted to move.

“You can see for yourselves that this area floods. We remember vividly as staff how we use to come to work somedays wondering if our belongings like furniture, office equipment are safe. I thank the Lord for enabling us reach this far to witness this historical event,” Mulekwa added.

For his part, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama the Chairperson EC appreciated the Leadership of the EC who have been resilient for the last 27 years and that since 1996 from the interim electoral commission they have conducted other 5(2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021) successful presidential and parliamentary elections and thanked his predecessors for upholding the democratic principle of Uganda.

Justice Byabakama assured the nation and all stakeholders at large that the process of acquiring a new home is on course. “In 2022, the government of Uganda tasked National Housing and Construction Company(NHCC) to get the EC temporary offices, undertake, design and construct a permanent home with suitable facilities and a condusive environment for the staff,” Chairperson Justice Byabakama revealed. He added that this will help improve service delivery as all facilities will be in one place and it will help them save money on rent and other expenses.

“It is not easy to leave a place you have known as home for many years. We have to accept change,” according to Justice Byabakama. Despite the dilapidated look of the former EC premises, it did not deter from providing free and fair elections over the years.

“It is not the environment that determines output although you must be result oriented but if you are not prone to deliver good services, you may not deliver. Your attitude towards work, determination will help you achieve despite any situation,” Justice Byabakama’s response on what memories He will have on the former work station.

“We will continue in ensuring democratic governance through free and fair elections,” the EC Chairperson noted in his closing remarks before handing over the file containing documents of the land (1.093 hectares) as a symbolic gesture to UNRA represented by Eng. Lawrence Pario, Head Bridges and Structures UNRA.

Meanwhile, Eng. Lawrence Pario revealed that UNRA has already started Lot 1 of the Kampala- Jinja flyover and Lot 2 commencement was awaiting the official hand over of the land from the EC.

“One of the preconditions for work to start is the place has to be demolished. After demolition, drainage improvements will be done such that the essence of flooding does not arise, Eng. Pario revealed.

He added that the road is set to widened from the existing four lanes to six which will lead to the free flow of traffic and will also have gazette safe areas for school children and other pedestrians to easily cross from one side to the other.

The Flyover will be 30m from the ground and will consist of Mukwano road and Jinja road, Jinja road and Yusuf Lule road and vice versa. The cars that will be travelling out of kampala to Jinja will fly up while those in the surrounding areas of the kampala will use facilities on the ground.

On December 16, 2022, the Commission embarked on the process of relocating its offices, personnel, and equipment from this location to the new temporary office premises on plot 1-3/5, Seventh Street, Industrial Area, formerly the headquarters of National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC).

According to Byabakama, the relocation phase has been completed and the Commission resumed offering services to the general public. Also present at the official handover ceremony were EC staff, Hon. Sylvester Wanjuzi-Wasieba, Chairman of the Board of Directors National Housing and Construction Company, Eng Ken Kaijuka, CEO NHCC to mention but a few.