Government has finally released Shs10bn to fund political party activities ahead of the 2016 general elections.
Section 14(a) of the Political parties and Organisations Act of 2005 mandates government to fund political parties.
Addressing a news conference this afternoon, the Electoral Commission Chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu said the money is to be shared among six political parties with representation in parliament.
The Electoral Commission chairperson Eng Badru Kigundu said only the six political parties with representation in parliament are eligible to receive this money and the money is distributed in accordance to the number of members of parliament each political party is having.
“The formula of distribution is prescribed in the law; it is on the basis of strength in parliament, so if you have 20 members we shall get the members divide by the total number of members in parliament and then multiple by 10 billion” he noted.
Currently its only six political parties eligible of receiving this money
Kiguddu noted that some political parties have already availed the necessary information including their bank accounts to the commission and they have started receiving the money.
Kiggundu says the commission has already written to the various parties calling for submission of requests for money and some have responded.
“We wrote to them, those who responded have received the money, others are still having wrangles with in, but we shall wait until the wrangles are settled to release the money, and each party will be required to provide accountability after the electoral exercise.” He added.
However when contacted the Uganda People’s Congress Party Vice President Joseph Bbosa denied knowledge of any such development while the FDC Secretary General Alice Alaso acknowledged receipt of communication to that effect.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission boss has also condemned officials who are reportedly asking for money from members of the public to update their details in the National Voter’s register.
Story by Herbert Zziwa
