Polling Assistants in Kampala Protest Missing on Payment List

Several polling assistants in Kampala are protesting the exclusion of their names on the Electoral Commission payment lists despite doing work in last week’s elections. Among the 502 polling assistants recruited to work in the 2021 general elections for Kampala central division, only 113 are on the list.

The polling assistants worked during the presidential, parliamentary elections and district local government elections, some without contracts and have not been paid.

Each polling assistant is demanding between 90,000 to 125,000 Shillings depending on the training and job they did for the electoral commission.  

Abdullah Mugaga, a polling assistant at Kamwokya II community polling station in Kampala Central division is worried about not being paid. He says that he was given a contract but is missing on the payment list.

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Habib Kisseka, a polling assistant at Mbogo primary in Kawempe division is demanding 125,000 shillings. He says efforts to demand the money from the Kawempe district Election administrator have been futile.

Godfrey Mwetisye, a polling assistant in Makindye division Lusaka polling station L – NAL says earlier this week, he was told to get the payment for the work done, he had to come along with his supervisor. Mwetisye says that has a contract but also misses on the payment list displayed on the division electoral commission notice board.  

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Claire Nabukalu, a polling assistant at Nakasero II M-Z says the mix up of missing names and payments lies entirely on the election parish supervisors who have up to now failed to update the polling assistants lists with the assistant district Election Administrator for payments.

She says there are two lists one for those were paid and those who were scheduled for work and payments but did not report for work.

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Carol Nimusiima, a supervisor for Mengo parish says the lists are up to date but have not been sent to the assistant district Election Administrator.  

Fred Muwaya, the Kampala District Returning Officer says the cheques were sent to the election districts. He says the administrative issues arising should be settled by the managers at the election district to ease the stress among the polling officials.