With tremendous success, the Steering Committee organised and delivered the Chapter’s first-ever election last Saturday, September 3, 2022, that saw the NRM members in the diaspora branch vote into office a new leadership.
Over 200 enthusiastic members of the Chapter gathered at Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road, Hackney, to take part in the election process, some as voters and others as contestants for the elective positions. It was beautiful!
The Function
The High Commissioner of Uganda to the United Kingdom, who was the Guest of Honour was represented by Robert Basiima, Councilor at the Uganda High commission while other members of the High Commission attended the function as duly invited.
The contestants were given a chance to introduce themselves to the members and to briefly campaign.
The function was filled with joyous celebrations with lots of food and drinks that saw members merry making late into the evening.
The Election
Despite attempts by some of the ‘old guard’ to delay the election, the Steering Committee, with the understanding and guidance of the NRM Secretariat, carried out a successful voter registration campaign which saw over 200 members register for the election.
The database team used the latest technology and skills by collecting minimal personal data and protecting it under a privately secured database in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations of the UK. The voter’s register was derived from the database and availed on voting day for verification by the voters.
Voting was carried out physically at the venue where voters’ identification was verified by the Electoral committee before voting. No one was allowed to vote without ID verification. Electronic voting was also available but restricted to registered voters who were outside London and could not physically be present or those outside the country. The purpose of limiting electronic voting was to avoid malpractice.
Generally, 80% of the registered voters cast their vote for a democratic leadership of the Chapter.
Election Oversight
The election process was overseen by the NRM Secretariat through the Director External Affairs; Major (Rtd) Pollar Awich, who was scheduled to be present, but because of visa delays could not travel in time to London and instead delegated the powers to Miriam Otengo; the Head of Tourism and Commercial Diplomacy at the Ugandan
High Commission to the UK, pursuant to Article 11 of the NRM Constitution.
Together with the Electoral committee, Otengo conducted the election conducted in two phases, firstly with members electing the Executive Committee who once elected formed different cells and offices by virtue of Articles 22 and 25 of the NRM Constitution, to assist in mobilization and execution of the Chapter’s mandate.
The following people were elected to the Executive Committee:
1. Allan Olara – Chairman
2. Moses Kasiibayo – Vice/Deputy Chairman
3. Barbara Kamukama – Vice chairperson for Women Affairs
4. Peninnah Kensheeka – Vice chairperson for Business & Investment
5. Nicholas Safi Angurini – Vice chairperson for Immigration, Consular & Home Affairs
6. Caesar Kalema – General Secretary
7. Perez Nabaasa – Secretary for Finance
8. Patrick Mugisha – Chief Whip
9. Kennedy Javuru – Publicity/Spokesperson
10. Moses Mulimira – Secretary for Health & PWDs
11. Caleb Nahabwe – Secretary for Media & Digital Communications
12. Jocelyn Karungi – Secretary for Mobilisation
13. Pastor Elly Muwanguzi Kironde – Secretary for Community, Sports & Religion Affairs
14. Dennis Asingwire – Secretary for Youth Affairs
15. Betty Laika Shereed – Secretary for Ireland
16. Buga Shakur – Secretary for Scotland
17. Anitta Asiimwe – Secretary for Wales
18. Charity Baira Opolot – Committee Member – General Duties
19. Job Bamwesigye – Committee Member – General Duties
20. Eric Kakore – Committee Member – General Duties
Voting took place between 11:00a.m and 6:00p.m ending with jubilations and cake cutting by the newly appointed leadership.
The Steering committee has delivered its mandate entrusted to it by the Chapter members and the NRM Secretariat and will now hand over the reins to the new leadership which they believe is representative of the diverse and cosmopolitan constitution of the Chapter, covering England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.
With democratic leaders elected, transparent leadership can be expected where members can accost their leaders. We wish the new leadership a great new chapter.