By Ignatius Kamya
The impasse between the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has been solved.
On Thursday, just four days to the elections, the Ministry released a letter to the effect that the elections that pit singers King Saha, Cindy and Lord Bitemu, for the presidency had been postponed.
Through a letter dated 23rd June 2022, the UMA elections had been halted after a meeting that was held between the Ministry of Gender and Uganda National Cultural Center leaders who saw it fit that the exercise be pushed forward after several complaints.
Their communication was received with contempt by Jeff Ekongot the EC chairman of the Musicians Association. He maintained that the exercise will go on as earlier projected on Tuesday 28th June at National Theatre
He explained that he will feel let down if the process doesn’t go on because their time, money, and efforts invested to have a smooth election process shall have been wasted.
Following a spate of meetings with both bodies, they are now on the same page. This follows a concerted meeting between the Minister of Gender and Uganda Musicians Assocation policy board members held yesterday.
According to Ekongot it was agreed that the elections be postponed to ensure effectiveness and inclusiveness of every member of UMA.
The Kampala Sun has learnt that in her communication, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Among said she had received a petition from members of UMA in the different regions claiming they were being left out of the process.
This was because the elections were only going to be held at The National Theatre and yet not all of them would handle transport and accommodation to the Kampala venue to vote.
“I will do my best to mobilize funds to facilitate the secret ballot process across all the regions but said she had to first consult the Attorney General on regards to some legal issues which were being raised,” she said.
Ekongot reveals that they are now waiting for a directive from the minister to get a clearer picture of when the elections will be held.
