KAMPALA: The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Simon Byabakama, has defended the suspension of six staff members, asserting that the Commission maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. The suspensions followed concerns over the handling of certain funds within the institution.
Byabakama made the remarks on January 17, 2025, during an appearance before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present the Commission’s Budget Framework Paper for the 2025/26 financial year. This followed media reports that Leonard Mulekwah, the EC Secretary, and five other staff members had been suspended pending internal investigations.
“The Commission has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Several issues arose indicating questionable handling of funds. In response, we implemented an internal mechanism to investigate these concerns, which led to the suspension of some staff members, as reported in the media. Investigations are ongoing, and we will take appropriate action once the inquiry is concluded,” Byabakama explained.
However, he refrained from providing further details on the circumstances of the suspensions, stating, “For now, I cannot discuss the specifics as this is a matter under investigation.”
The suspensions come ahead of the 2026 general elections and mirror a similar incident in July 2020 when former EC Secretary Sam Rwakoojo, along with staff members Joseph Lwanga, Godfrey Wanyoto, Jotham Taremwa, and others, were dismissed over corruption allegations.
The departure of Rwakoojo led to Mulekwah’s promotion from Director of Operations to Secretary of the EC. During last week’s committee meeting, Richard Kamugisha was introduced as the Acting Secretary to the Commission. Kamugisha had previously served as Director of Operations.
Mulekwa joined EC headquarters in 2002 from Pallisa District, where he served as the District Planner before becoming the district registrar.
At EC headquarters, also in 2002, Mulekwa was appointed deputy head of the election management department.
In 2004, he was appointed head of the voter education and training department, among other roles.