Electoral reform must remain top on Uganda’s democratic agenda
We are fortunate to live in Uganda, a country where it is easy to take the right to vote for granted. Uganda has conducted eight direct general elections at both presidential and parliamentary levels from 1961. Elections conducted between 1961 and 1980 all had a common red thread – perceptions or realities of vote rigging. The perceived or reality of rigging in the December 1980 elections was the key reason for the five year guerilla war fare. Though relatively calm, the post 1980 elections of 1996; 2001; 2006 and 2011 have all been marred by allegations or realities of military interference, bribery, coercion, manipulation, violence and a host of other electoral malpractices – all of which have subsequently negatively impacted on citizens’ right to freely express themselves through the power of the vote. In reflection this brings to mind a statement once made by former Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin who said: It is enough that the people know there was a...