The Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended its Secretary, Mr. Leonard Mulekwah, along with five other senior officials, to facilitate an internal investigation into allegations of irregular disbursement, utilization, and accountability of commission funds.
Mr. Mulekwah, who has been at the helm of the EC secretariat since July 2020, was officially informed of his suspension upon returning from leave on January 9, 2025. In an internal memo dated January 13, 2025, addressed to EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama and copied to other senior officials, Mr. Mulekwah acknowledged the commission’s decision to suspend him to pave the way for investigations.
Justice Byabakama confirmed the suspensions, stating, “It is true he has been suspended and that’s the standard procedure. If you are under investigation, you vacate office to enable the smooth conduct of those investigations.” He further noted that the internal probe focuses on issues involving funds and that more than five staff members are subject to the same investigation.
Mr. Mulekwah’s tenure as EC Secretary began in July 2020, following the dismissal of his predecessor, Sam Rwakoojo, and three other top EC staff members amid a graft probe. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Mulekwah had extensive experience in electoral work, having joined the EC headquarters in 2002 from Pallisa District, where he served as District Planner and later as District Registrar. At the EC headquarters, he held various positions, including Deputy Head of the Election Management Department and Head of the Voter Education and Training Department.
The current suspensions underscore the EC’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability within its operations. The commission has assured the public that the investigations will be thorough and that appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings.
