The Electoral Commission (EC) has taken disciplinary action against its Secretary, Mr. Leonard Mulekwah, and five other election officials amidst allegations of irregularities in the disbursement, utilization, and accountability of Commission funds.
Mr. Mulekwah’s suspension was formally communicated on January 9, 2025, following his return to work after a period of leave. In an internal memo addressed to the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, and copied to the Deputy Chairperson, Commissioners, Directors, and Heads of Departments, Mr. Mulekwah acknowledged his suspension and expressed his awareness of the allegations.
“Sir, I reported to the office and to you after my leave on Thursday, 9th January 2025, and you informed me that the Commission had resolved to suspend me from office to pave way for investigation,” the memo reads.
The memo, dated January 13, 2025, further states, “I was later served by the EC Registry with a letter from you alleging that I was involved in irregular disbursement, utilization, and accountability of some funds.”
Mr. Mulekwah, a veteran in electoral management, has held various key roles within the EC.
He was appointed Secretary to the Commission in July 2020, succeeding the long-serving Sam Rwakoojo, who was dismissed along with three other senior officials amid accusations of misconduct.
Internal Investigations Underway
Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed the suspension, emphasizing that it was a standard procedure designed to ensure the integrity of the investigation process.
“It is true he has been suspended, and that’s the standard procedure. If you are under investigation, you vacate office to enable smooth conduct of those investigations,” Justice Byabakama said in a statement.
The EC Chairperson further revealed that Mr. Mulekwah was not the only individual under scrutiny.
“There are also other members of staff within the Commission who are under the same investigation and have also been sent on leave. He is not the only one; there are over five,” he noted.
Details regarding the total amount of funds allegedly misappropriated remain unclear, with Justice Byabakama explaining that the investigations involve multiple transactions of varying amounts.
“I cannot give you the combined total because there are different transactions being investigated with different figures,” he said.
To expedite the process, the Commission has assembled a specialized internal team tasked with probing the matter.
Justice Byabakama assured the public that the findings of this investigation would be disclosed promptly, stating that the report is expected “soon.”
Previous Allegations of Corruption
This is not the first time Mr. Mulekwah has faced scrutiny. In October 2024, he was placed on what officials described as “official leave” amid reports of a corruption investigation.
During his absence, the EC’s Director of Operations, Mr. Richard Kamugisha, temporarily assumed his duties.
At the time, the Inspectorate of Government accused Mr. Mulekwah and other senior EC officers of inflating the costs of fuel procured for election activities.
The current suspension marks a continuation of efforts to address systemic financial management concerns within the Commission.
Analysts point out that the suspension of multiple senior officials indicates the gravity of the allegations and highlights the EC’s commitment to upholding accountability.
Impact on the Electoral Commission
As the head of the EC Secretariat, Mr. Mulekwah played a pivotal role in the Commission’s operations, particularly in the planning and execution of electoral processes.
His suspension, coupled with that of other senior officials, has raised questions about the impact on the EC’s ongoing activities.
Critics have expressed concerns over the potential disruption to the Commission’s preparations for future electoral events.
However, Justice Byabakama reassured stakeholders that the institution remains functional and that its operations will not be hindered by the ongoing investigations.
“We have a system in place that ensures continuity. The investigations will not paralyze the work of the Electoral Commission,” he stated.
Public Reactions and Expectations
The suspension of Mr. Mulekwah and his colleagues has drawn mixed reactions from the public and stakeholders.
Some have lauded the Commission’s actions as a step toward transparency and accountability, while others have called for an independent body to oversee the investigation to ensure impartiality.
Civil society organizations and political observers have emphasized the need for swift and conclusive action, underscoring the importance of maintaining public trust in the EC as the country approaches critical electoral milestones.
The outcome of these investigations will not only determine the fate of the accused officials but also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled within the Commission in the future.