The Electoral Commission has finally paid allowances for Special Police Constables- SPCs who were deployed to provide security during the
presidential and Local Council V elections in Hoima city and Hoima district.
Last week, the SPCs stormed the Hoima City Electoral Commission offices
in Kijungu, in Hoima City demanding for the payment of their allowances. They were part of the over 2,000 SPCs who were deployed to police elections
in the sub-region.
According to the aggrieved SPCs, each was meant to be paid
80,000 Shillings as allowance and 20,000 Shillings for
transport.
Douglas Matsiko, the Hoima City Returning Officer says that the
money was paid to the SPCs two days ago after thorough verification of their
names. Matsiko attributed the delayed
payment to the verification of each SPC who was deployed.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson confirmed
payment of the SPCs.
According to Hakiza, the EC did not explain to the SPCs about the progress of
their payment, which forced the SPCs to protest.
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Joy Atuhura one of the SPCs who was deployed in Hoima district
confirmed having received her payment but wondered why the Electoral Commission
and the Police management first waited for them to protest for them to be paid.
Wycliffe Kusiima, another SPC who was deployed at one of the polling stations
in Hoima City says the EC and Police should streamline their operations. .
Last year, the Police recruited 50,000 SPCs for the 2021 General
Election, Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said the constables will be
disbanded after the elections.
