KAMPALA- The Electoral Commission (EC) Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa has dismissed allegations that arose after the recruitment of a one Umar Kiyimba as Head of Department of election management.
Social media reports indicated that Mr. Kiyimba is a son to former EC chairperson Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu after his name being presented to President Museveni. However, Mr. Taremwa has revealed all is “fake news and should be treated as such”.
“Mr Umar Kiyimba has no blood relationship with former chairperson of EC Dr Badru Kiggundu as it’s alleged,” he said in a statement dated June 15, 2020.
Mr. Taremwa further revealed that Kiyimba has served in the commission diligently and risen through the ranks in line with the EC’s Human Resource policies and procedures.
“First as an elections officer serving in various Districts as District Registrar, later promoted to a senior Elections Officer and now to Head of Department of election management where a vacancy has been existing as a result of the former Head of the Department serving his contract to the end and retiring in 2019. the filling of the vacancy was done in accordance with EC’s HR guidelines and was competitive because it attracted a number of applicants,” said Taremwa.
He added that, “Therefore , the allegations that his name was presented to H.E for clearance is simply not true.”
According to Taremwa, the process of procuring ballots for 2020/2021 General elections commenced with the local and regional newspaper adverts calling for firms with capacity and competence to bid in accordance with open international bidding.
“The process will be handled in accordance with PPDA guidelines and regulations. No single staff of the Commission has the authority to procure any service or work leave alone ballots” reads an excerpt.
He noted that thee allegation once again that kiyimba is charged with ballots is someone’s own imagination.
