No Money to Fund Political Parties – Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that there will be no funding for political parties in the financial year 2018/2019 as indicated by the budget framework paper unless Parliament pronounces itself on the issue.

Whereas the electoral body requested for a total of Shs 10 billion to fund the four political parties that have representation in Parliament, government did not approve the request which remains one of the commission’s unfunded priorities.

Section 14A of the Political Parties and Organisation Act, 2005, provides that government shall contribute funds or other public resources towards the activities of political parties or organisations represented in Parliament.

The parties that are currently entitled to the funds include the ruling NRM which has the lion’s share due to its numerical strength followed by FDC, DP and UPC.

The Electoral Commission Secretary, Sam Rwakojo told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Friday that during the budget preparations for the financial year 2018/19, no provision was made for financing these parties in the Medium- Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

“Government started funding political parties in the financial years of 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18,” Rwakojo said.

The Commission led by the Chairman, Simon Byabakama was appearing before the Committee chaired by Jacob Oboth Oboth to give submissions on the budget frame work paper of 2018/19.

EC requested for a total of Shs 189.2 billion, however government approved a total of Shs 64.6 billion, leaving a funding gap of Shs 124.5 billion.