Commissioner Peter Emoru of Uganda’s Electoral Body (EC) has been accused of directly participating in campaigns to popularise the removal of Presidential candidates’ age limit cap of 75 years contrary to the EC’s ethical code of conduct.
The commissioner allegedly commanded a group that forced councillors from Kumi to vote for the removal of age limit.
The Kumi Woman MP, Monicah Amoding accused the commissioner before legislators of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee while the EC officials submitted on the Constitution Amendment Bill (NO.2) 2017.
“If you don’t have any interest in article 102(b), why are commissioners crisscrossing the country campaigning for the removal of age limit; I have evidence about one of the commissioners who is seated here with us,” Amoding said.
The committee chairperson, Jacob Oboth Oboth asked Amoding to make mention of the commissioner whom she later named adding that once given time she will provide all evidence to the committee.
Amoding said that “Emoru was on September 19th in Kumi commanding and intimidating councillors to support the motion with the Police guarding the council; I am wondering if he will be able to conduct a fair election if he is in charge.”
When given chance to explain himself, Emoru denied engaging “in such partisan activities” and possesion of a gun.
“I don’t have the background of any gun, I didn’t go to Kumi. Since she says she has evidence, I think it will be good to testify if I was there,” Emoru said.
“I am was born in Bukedea, I was not in Kumi that day; if she has evidence, I would be willing to come back to this Committee to see the evidence.”