Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Justice Simon Byabakama and his deputy, Hajat Aisha Lubega, have secured another seven-year term at the Electoral Commission (EC), as confirmed by President Museveni’s letter to the Speaker of Parliament on January 5th. Their reappointment follows their initial appointment in November 2016.
The newly composed Commission includes Robert Kasule Sebunya, former MP for Kyadondo North and Nansana Municipality, currently serving as the Head of the Delivery Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office. Dr. Sallie Simba Kayunga, a Political Science Lecturer at Makerere University, and former Kioga county MP, Anthony Okello, have also been appointed.
Additionally, Mr. Museveni reappointed former Kajara MP, Stephen Tashobya, who will conclude his service at the end of this seven-year term. Tashobya, a lawyer by profession, gained prominence in Parliament, particularly as the chair of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Pamela Etonu Okudi, Acting Head of Administration at the Commission and a former employee of the National Forestry Authority, is also part of the new Commission.
The renewed Commission is tasked with continuing the implementation of the Strategic Plan, covering FY 2022/23 – 2026/2027, and overseeing the planning and administration of the 2025/2026 General Elections.
The names will now present the CVs to parliament for vetting and confirmation.
The estimated budget for this strategic plan, including the 2025/2026 General Elections Roadmap, is Two Trillion, Five Hundred Forty-One Billion, Four Hundred Eight Million, Eight Hundred Seventy-One Thousand, Two Hundred Eighty-Nine Shillings.
Also Read: LC elections postponed again
The outgoing Commission had scheduled the polling period for the 2026 General Elections from January 12th to February 10th, 2026.
Who is Justice Simon Byabakama
- Born Hoima district on January 31, 1957, Hon. Justice Simon Byabakama-Mugenyi joined the Bench as High Court Judge in May 2008.
- He is a holder of a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Makerere University-1980) and a Diploma in Legal Practice (LDC-1980). Before that, he went through Kabalega Secondary School in Masindi for both his Ordinary and Advanced Level studies between 1971 and 1976.
- His first Judiciary deployment was in June 2008 at the High Court Circuit in Lira as Resident Judge; served as Resident Judge at the Soroti High Court Circuit March 2010, and was re-deployed to the High Court Circuit in Masindi in June 2013.
- In October 2015, Judge Byabakama was one of the six High Court Judges appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court on promotion.
- Before joining the Bench, Hon. Justice Byabakama, worked in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) – first joined as a Resident State Attorney in Masindi district in 1981, and was promoted to senior state attorney in 1987.
- In 1992, he was elevated to Principal State Attorney, became Senior Principal State Attorney at the DPP Headquarters in 1996, and he was elevated to the rank of Deputy DPP at the time he was appointed Judge.
- For the many years in DPP’s office, he prosecuted quite a number of high-profile trials, including being the lead prosecutor in the famous murder case against the Tooro Prime Minister, John Katuramu; Kooky Sharma, and the rape case against top opposition figure, Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye.
- Hon. Justice Simon Byabakama is married to Dorothy Kasaija Mugenyi and he is a father of six.
