The Link Between Good Governance and Election Management in Uganda: a Case Study of the Electoral Commission of Uganda

Abstract

This study examines the link between Good Governance and Election Management in Uganda. It uses the example of the Electoral Commission of Uganda to demonstrate that there is a link between good governance principles, values and culture, and Election Management. The study argues that although the Constitution of Uganda establishes an Electoral Commission with an independent mandate to manage free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Uganda nevertheless the realization of free, fair, credible and transparent elections in Uganda remains elusive because the Electoral Commission of Uganda has failed to incorporate good governance values and principles of Accountability, Transparency, Rule of Law, Responsiveness, Public Participation, Effectiveness and Efficiency and Consensus in election management in Uganda. The study illustrates that the legal and institutional structure of the Electoral Commission of Uganda is not ideally placed to manage and administer a free, fair, transparent and credible election in Uganda. The study relies on the Theory of Institutions or the New institutions theory and the Critical Legal Theory to demonstrate the reason why the Electoral Commission should incorporate good governance to enable it to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Uganda. The study relies on a mixed research methodological approach and employs historical, doctrinal and case study research methods. The study concludes and recommends that the Electoral Commission of Uganda needs to adopt good governance in the management of elections and its institutional structures and further pursue law reforms to achieve such ideals so that free, fair transparent elections is not a dream but an exercise that can be realized in Uganda.