The Parliamentary Committee Legal Affairs wants an explanation into delayed procurement of the Electoral Commission –EC offices. This is after it was reported that EC breached procurement procedures in the move to acquire new premises for its headquarters.
The current EC premises at Jinja Road were earmarked by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) for construction of the Jinja-Kampala Expressway Flyover as well as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) projects. EC was expected to vacate the Jinja Road premises by June 2021.
However, media reports show that the electoral body now faces eviction after it overstayed the period that the Roads Authority gave to vacate the project area, and that the acquisition of new EC offices has been delayed due to vested interests among a section of Electoral Commission officials and external lobbying.
The matter came up on Wednesday afternoon during a meeting between the Electoral Commission led by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee which is examining budget estimates for the next financial year 2022/2023.
Leonard Mulekwa the EC Secretary told legislators that the Commission is currently undertaking the procurement of new premises for its headquarters after four failed attempts since 2017.
Mulekwa added that although the appropriated Capital Development budget for this purpose is 60 billion Shillings, only 39.72 billion has been released.
However, his explanation sparked off queries from MPs led by the Committee Chairperson Robinah Rwakoojo, who raised concern about the delayed acquisition of the new home and demanded answers about the progress so far made in acquiring new premises.
Meanwhile, Ndorwa East Wilfred Niwagaba noted reports that under-hand methods are being used to flout the procurement process. The Bunyole East MP, Yusuf Mutembuli also tasked the EC officials whether they have a plan, in case they are evicted before acquiring new premises.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said that there is information that the Electoral Commission discarded the bidding process, something that has raised complaints from the bidders.
