Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has grilled the Electoral Commission (EC) over the controversial Kawempe North by-election, questioning the credibility of the polls following reports of disruptions and violence.
The by-election was marred by chaotic scenes, culminating in the High Court’s nullification of the results.
During a heated session on Monday, MPs pressed EC officials to explain whether the election met the standards of being free and fair.
In response, EC Acting Secretary Richard Kamugisha denied the Commission’s role in the security failures, insisting the violence was outside their control.
He revealed that incidents, including the destruction of election materials, were reported to Police. However, the EC did not seek support from the army during the process.
“Our people were at the polling station filling declaration forms when they were chased with stones and had to run for their lives. I don’t know what wrong the Commission did—should they have stayed there and been stoned?” Kamugisha told the committee.
COSASE is expected to compile a report with recommendations on how to prevent similar occurrences in future electoral processes, as questions linger over electoral integrity and public confidence.