The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao, has blamed the problems faced by the Electoral Commission during elections on Uganda’s political culture.

Mao said this at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed members of the Electoral Commission, which was presided over by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo on February 7, 2024, at the High Court in Kampala.

“Most of the problems with elections are not about the Electoral Commission; they are really about the political culture, where everybody wants to win and yet there can only be one winner,” Mao said.

He urged the members who have served as commissioners before to hold the new commissioners by their hands, mentor them, and give them the confidence to work without fear. Mao also said that his role is to bridge the gap between the Cabinet and the Electoral Commission.

“As the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, I am a bridge, your mouthpiece in Cabinet, where we are now trying to enact policies and laws to introduce electronic voting, including proposals to have presiding officers at every polling station wear body cameras,” Mao added.

The newly elected members of the Electoral Commission include Simon Byabakama (chairperson), Aisha Lubega, Stephen Tashobya, James Peter Emorut, Sallie Simba Kayunga, Caroline Beinamaryo, and Anthony Okello.