SHARPENING CIVIC ACTION MENTORS FOR VOTER EDUCATION

In consideration of the electoral processes towards the 2016 national elections in Uganda, Forum for Women in Democracy trained 50 civic action mentors in Voter education. Representative of 7 districts of Uganda including; Gulu, Kibuku, Luweero, Kibaale, Rukungiri, Kabale and Napak, the mentors acquired knowledge in voter education; explored and understanding of the road map to the national 2016 elections; with specificity on citizens’ engagement in the electoral processes. David, Byakutaga, the facilitator urged the mentors to engage in Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) as a tool to reinforce public confidence in the election process, foster election integrity and contribute to election peace.

“We need to address the issue of vote rigging squarely, if it is at the ballot box during vote counties that the votes are stolen, I don’t then see why citizens themselves do not engage in Parallel Vote Tallying.” Rukiga S/C.

Elaborations on integration of gender in voter education emerged salient to enhancing equal participation of both men and women in the electoral processes. For women, unfortunately the current level of participation and representation in politics and decision-making processes is far from being satisfactory as they are consistently left out in the electoral process. The training noted that in spite of women enjoying the legal right to participate in politics and the decision-making process, this is hampered due to a number of reasons and hence there is a dire need to make women politically relevant in Uganda as they play key roles such as: candidates, voters, political party members or supporters, and political activists. Since women have different needs and issues of concern from the rest of the population, it is important that they take part in the electoral process so as to have their voices heard. The mentors were advised to emphasise the need for citizens to vote for women especially those that plan to stand for directly elected seats in the 2016 elections.

“ Citizens should be encouraged to know that its them that have the power to determine who comes into power, a man or a woman, so if the women support and vote fellow omen, then their views could be more aired than in a male dominated leadership” Said Fatuma Kyomuhangi, Lyantonde district.

Both the candidates and the electorate often corrupt elections. The Civic action mentors discussed the  “No Vote Buying, No Vote selling campaign” aimed at mobilizing members of the public and those intending to contest in the 2016 elections to shun vote buying and selling. The mentors were urged to encourage citizens to vote for people that have their issues at heart rather than those that convert issues into voter  bribery packages of sugar, salt, among others. Citizens have a critical role to play in preventing commercialization of elections that makes Ugandans end up with leaders who are not focused on national issues and could lead the nation into a leadership crisis.

“We need to combat 2 major thoughts: 1. Every politician thinks that you must have money to buy votes and win an election; 2. Every electorate thinks that one must be bought to cast a vote: No wonder, politics is a business for the leaders where they expect to earn profits from the money they spent buying votes during elections.” Leanard Okello, Failitator Civic Education, emphasized.

The civic action mentors were advised to guard against 3 fears including: Lack of information; Dis-information, and Mis-information and take personal responsibility for the leadership of the country as they pass the information on to the citizens.

The future of our country lies in our hands, and the women really need to get on bourd and suffocate vote buying and selling, engage effectively in the electoral processes to have better leadership and development in Uganda. There is a great link between election corruption and poor service delivery, the former leads to the latter, so let’s jealously guard our vote and cast it wisely. For the women, it’s our sole duty to transform this country, so let’s act responsibly for the National Elections 2016.” Said Patricia, Munabi Babiiha in her closing remarks.

The training was part of FOWODE’s civic education programme, which has been rolled out this year with focus on voter education to ensure that voters are well informed, ready, willing, and can effectively exercise their rights to participate fully in the election processes.