KAMPALA – The Spokesperson for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Ssemujju Nganda has taken a swipe at the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama for being extravagant.
Ssemujju made the remarks while addressing the press at the FDC headquarters in Nnajjanankumbi on January 6, 2020.
According to Ssemujju, the general elections, whose nominations and campaigns have been fixed for this year, will cost the country colossal sums of money.
“The Electoral Commission has already spent Shs218 billion this financial year and has been added another Shs318 billion in the 2021 budget,” he said.
He added that “We have been told Police alone is requesting for more than Shs100 billion to Police elections. This is a huge expenditure.”
Ssemujju further warned the EC not to mess up this ‘investment’.
“We are a poor country that is highly indebted. There must be value for money,” Ssemujju said.
He revealed that Justice Byabakama and his team are on trial as this will be the first general election they are organizing.
“There are already issues with compilation of the voters’ register. Millions of Ugandans, who are turning 18 years from the date registration was closed to nomination day, have been left out,” he noted.
On the other hand, Ssemujju said that they assigned seven teams to check on the health of the FDC structures in the seven zones of Uganda are in the field.
“The FDC President Eng. Patrick Amuriat, Secretary-General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Treasury General Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya are in Eastern Uganda. They have covered the biggest part of Teso. The Secretary-General is in Bugisu and Mbale specifically today. The FDC President is on his way to Kalaki district,” he said.
He added that “This exercise will be concluded end of this month. We intend to organize four regional events to mark the 15 years of our existence. We will be communicating the date and venue. The police you are also duly informed.”
