Rwanda’s former Minister of Justice Edda Mukabagwiza will lead the East African Community (EAC) observer mission for Uganda’s general elections scheduled for Thursday, January 15.
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The 58-year-old former Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies will lead a delegation of 61 observers drawn from six EAC member states and the EAC Secretariat.
&039;Not here to interfere'
At the official flag-off ceremony held in Arusha, Tanzania, on Tuesday, Mukabagwiza affirmed that the mission’s role is to observe and assess the electoral process in line with the EAC Treaty, regional observation principles, Ugandan electoral laws, and international standards.
"We are here to observe and assess the electoral process in an independent, impartial and objective manner," Mukabagwiza said, adding that their mission will be guided by the EAC Treaty, EAC Election Observation Principles, Ugandan laws and international standards.
"We are not here to interfere in the electoral process, to arbitrate political outcomes, or to pronounce on results. Our responsibility is to observe carefully, document accurately and report objectively."
Museveni and 7 challengers
In the election race, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) will face seven candidates, including MP Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Gregory Mugisha Muntu, a former army commander and founder of the Alliance for National Transformation.
Following the elections, the EAC will issue a preliminary statement with initial observations and later produce a comprehensive final report for submission to the EAC Council of Ministers, the Government of the Republic of Uganda, and other relevant stakeholders.
The report is expected to offer practical recommendations aimed at strengthening electoral processes and reinforcing democratic governance throughout the East African Community, said EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva.
"The EAC believes that elections must be inclusive, participatory, and conducted in an environment free from violence, intimidation and discrimination,” Nduva said.
In addition to the EAC mission, the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have jointly sent 84 election observers from 27 countries, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has also deployed an Election Observation Mission comprising 19 observers drawn from its member states.
Mukabagwiza's experience
Mukabagwiza has over two decades of experience in public service, diplomacy and governance.
She served as a Member of Parliament between 2013 and 2024, In 2018, she was elected as Deputy Speaker. She had previously served as Rwanda's High Commissioner to Canada and Cuba between 2007 and 2013.
She served as Minister of Justice from 2003 to 2006. Mukabagwiza trained as a lawyer and is currently a practicing advocate. She holds a master's degree in diplomacy from Washington International University in the United States. She also has a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Rwanda.