MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING

THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD

PROGRESS REPORT
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2015

ACFIM MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................ v
ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... vi
Background ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 1
Poor Record Keeping..................................................................................................................................... 2
MINIMUM EXPENSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES ............................................................................................... 2
Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party ............................................................................................ 4
Increase in Party Expenses............................................................................................................................ 7
Minimum Amounts Spent by District........................................................................................................ 8
Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December ........................................................ 10
Observed Expenditure Variations ............................................................................................................... 14
CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES ............................................................................................... 16
TRANSPORT EXPENSES ................................................................................................................................ 18
Analysis of Transport Expenditure Trends .............................................................................................. 19
Expenditure on Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses ............................................................... 20
Analysis of Expenditure on Campaign Rallies ......................................................................................... 21
Expenditure on Campaign Materials ...................................................................................................... 22
Analysis of Campaign Materials Expenditure ......................................................................................... 23
Electronic and Print Media Expenses...................................................................................................... 24
Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec) ............................................................ 25
Analysis of Expenditure on Media .......................................................................................................... 26
Expenses on Handout Materials ............................................................................................................. 27
Analysis of Expenditure on Handout Materials ...................................................................................... 31
Donations, Fundraising/Vote Buying & Misuse of State Resources ....................................................... 33
Nexus between Voter Tourism, Voter Hospitality and Voter Bribery .................................................... 37
Misuse of Government Resources .......................................................................................................... 38
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 42
APPENDIX I .................................................................................................................................................. 43
APPENDIX II ................................................................................................................................................. 45
APPENDIX III ................................................................................................................................................ 47
APPENDIX IV ................................................................................................................................................ 48

iii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Amount Spent by All Parties & Candidates per Month (Nov-Dec) ................................................. 2
Table 2: Minimum Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December 2015) ........................... 5
Table 3: Total Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District (Nov-Dec) ................................................ 8
Table 4: Amount Spent by Presidential Candidates in November & December ........................................ 10
Table 5: Average Campaign Admin Expenses for Nov-Dec per Parliamentary Candidate ......................... 16
Table 6: Expenses on Means of Transport Used to Arrive at Rally/Event (Nov-Dec) ................................. 18
Table 7: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%) .................................................... 20
Table 8: Campaign Materials Expenses for November & December.......................................................... 22
Table 9: Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December ............................................... 24
Table 10: Handout Materials Expenses in November & December ........................................................... 27
Table 11: Examples of Materials Handed Out During Campaigns .............................................................. 32
Table 12: Donations & Fundraising/Vote Buying for November-December .............................................. 33
Table 13: Examples of Donations During Campaigns ................................................................................. 34
Table 14: Examples of Misuse of State Resources ...................................................................................... 40
Table 15: NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015 ................................................................... 43
Table 16: SUMMARY of NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015 ............................................ 45
Table 17: FDC Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015..................................................................... 47
Table 18: Amama Mbabazi Minimum Expenses in WestNile ..................................................................... 48

iv

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Amount Spent by All Parties & Candidates per Month (Nov-Dec) ................................................ 3
Figure 2: Minimum Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December 2015) ......................... 5
Figure 3: % Change in Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December) .............................. 6
Figure 4: Total Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District (Nov-Dec)............................................... 9
Figure 5: % Increase in Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District ................................................. 10
Figure 6: Amount Spent by Presidential Candidates in November & December ....................................... 11
Figure 7: % Change in Expenses by Presidential Candidates in November & December ........................... 15
Figure 8: Campaign Administration Expenses for November and December ............................................ 17
Figure 9: Percentage Change in Administration Expenses for November and December ......................... 18
Figure 10: Use of Means of Transport Used to Arrive at Rally/Event (November & Dec) .......................... 19
Figure 11: % Change in Expenses on Means of Transport Used (Nov-Dec) ................................................ 20
Figure 12: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%) ................................................. 21
Figure 13: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%) ................................................. 22
Figure 14: Campaign Materials Expenses for November & December ...................................................... 23
Figure 16: Overall Campaign Materials Expenses (Nov-Dec)...................................................................... 24
Figure 17: Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December ............................................ 25
Figure 18: % Change in Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December ....................... 27
Figure 19: Handout Materials Expenses in November & December .......................................................... 28
Figure 20: % Increase in Expenses on Handout Materials in November & December ............................... 31
Figure 21: Donations & Fundraising/Vote Buying forNovember-December .............................................. 33
Figure 22: SUMMARY of NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015 ........................................... 46

ABBREVIATIONS
ACCOB

Anti-Corruption Coalition of Busoga

ACCU

Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda

ACFIM

Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring

CEON

Citizens Election Observers Network

CEPDA

Citizens Platform for Democracy and Accountability

CODI

Community Development and Children Welfare Initiatives

DGF

Democratic Governance Facility

DP

Democratic Party

FABIO

First African Bicycle Organisation

FDC

Forum for Democratic Change

KICK

Kick Corruption out of Kigezi

MACCO

MAYANK Anti-Corruption Coalition

MIRAC

Midwestern Uganda Anti-Corruption Coalition

MONARLIP

Moroto Nakapiripirit Religious Leaders Initiative for Peace

NRM

National Resistance Movement

NDI

National Democratic Institute

NTF

Native Travel Festival

NUAC

Northern Uganda Anti-Corruption Coalition

RAC

Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition

SMS

Short Message Service

TAACC

The Apac Anti-Corruption Coalition

TAC

Teso Anti-Corruption Coalition

TIU

Transparency International Uganda

UGX

Uganda Shillings

UPC

Uganda Peoples Congress

WACSOF

Western Ankole Civil Society Forum

vi

Background
Monitoring the expenditure of candidates for presidential and Member of Parliament races
during the pre-election period is one of the many aspects that civil society is observing in the preelection period. Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) is the specialized body of civil
society organisations that are conducting this initiative as an extended study to come up with
credible estimates of how much political parties and individual candidates spend on election
campaigns; document how money is used in campaign and the extent to which it influences
election outcomes. The study further interrogates how budget funds are used or misused in
election campaigns. Access to credible information about use of money in election campaigns in
Uganda is critical to developing national interventions that will among other things equalize the
conditions for political competition. Reforms in electoral and political financing will benefit
tremendously from information collected and shared by ACFIM.
We leverage the presence of 65 locally recruited campaign finance monitors that are using their
familiarity with the local context and situational awareness to gather data. This data is analysed
and to show the extent to which money influences political campaigns and election outcomes.
The data is collected from 16 districts namely: Kampala, Luweero, Masaka, Jinja, Iganga, Kabale,
Kanungu, Bushenyi, Kabarole, Hoima, Arua, Nwoya, Lira, Apac, Katakwi and Moroto. As ACFIM
we strongly believe that unregulated use of money in election campaigns is one of the main
causes of commercialization of politics, a problem that will require Ugandans from all walks of
life to take action to reduce it.

Methodology
The 16 districts covered under the scope of ACFIM comprise a total of 74 constituencies
representing 14.4% of the whole country. The data reported does provide an indication of
emerging trends that give a clear indication of happenings and changes in voting behavior in
major geographical regions. ACFIM monitors use scientific tools to collect data on campaign
expenses of political parties and candidates, voter bribery and misuse of government
administrative resources for campaigns at constituency level. Filled campaign expenses tools are
submitted to district supervisors who keep moving from constituency to constituency for data
quality assurance. There is a team of experts at ACFIM secretariat that frequently carries out data
quality control checks across the 16 districts. Collected data is entered into a web-based
database. During the reporting period, monitors submit data on campaign events and
incidents/happenings they have observed directly and indirectly. Critical incidences are
transmitted to supervisors in real time by the use of phone calls or Short Message Service text
messaging.
1

Key Findings
Poor Record Keeping
Political parties and candidates participating in the campaigns for the 2016 general elections are
poor at keeping record of expenditure incurred on campaign trail. ACFIM Researchers report that
the campaign finance management systems of participating political parties and candidates are
by and large rudimentary. The absence of legal requirement for disclosure of campaign income
and expenditure makes harder the task of capturing and verifying all data collected. The
information presented by ACFIM in this report should be understood in terms of credible
minimums of campaign expenditure.

MINIMUM EXPENSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in
the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December
representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the
commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3 rd and 4th
of December 2015. Nomination days for members of parliament were characterized with
profligate expenditure as candidates were eager to announce their presence or arrival on the
political scene. ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers;
and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to
nomination and attended the nomination rallies.

Table 1: Amount Spent by All Parties & Candidates per Month (Nov-Dec)
Month

AMOUNT SPENT

% OF TOTAL

November

49,625,169,000

36.0

December

88,063,034,700

64.0

137,688,203,700

100.0

TOTAL

Source: ACFIM Database

% CHANGE
1.77

Figure 1: Amount Spent by Parties & Candidates in November and December

AMOUNT SPENT BY MONTH (UGX)

49,625,169,000
November
December
88,063,034,700

Some of the highlights for nomination day for Members of Parliament

Caption: Bodaboda cyclists hired by a number of candidates to add pomp to their processions
on nomination day.

Caption: Nomination day for Member of Parliament candidates in Luweero district: Above left is a state
of the art platform build by independent candidate Patricia Magara of Katikamu South constituency.

Caption: The coaches, minibuses and wagons that escorted MP candidate Salongo Alfred Muwanga that
on nominmtion day in Luwero District. Nominations were awash with the pomp that money could buy.

Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party

According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are
leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum
observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of
November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC
(2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%).

Table 2: Minimum Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December 2015)
PARTY
NRM
INDEPENDENTS
FDC
GO FORWARD
DP
UPC
OTHERS
TOTAL

NOVEMBER
44,413,292,000
2,327,800,000
1,293,965,000
849,120,000
429,480,000
184,342,000
127,170,000
49,625,169,000

DECEMBER
76,589,135,000
8,529,394,000
1,612,253,000
649,785,700
224,383,000
228,257,000
229,827,000
88,063,034,700

% of TOTAL
87.9
7.9
2.1
1.1
0.5
0.3
0.3
100.0

% Change
+72
+266
+25
-23
-48
+24
+81
+77

Figure 2: Minimum Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December 2015)

Minimum Expenses by Party/Candidates

90,000,000,000
80,000,000,000

EXPSENSE IN UG. SHS

70,000,000,000
60,000,000,000
50,000,000,000
40,000,000,000
30,000,000,000
20,000,000,000
10,000,000,000
0
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
PARTY

NRM Party Minimum Expenses May October 2015

Table 3: NRM Party Expenses June December 2015

Observable
Minimum Cost

Expense Category
Per village to reactivate NRM village
1 structures

15,000,000,000

Delegates Conference - constitutional

2 amendment
2nd Delegates Conference to elect Party
3 Flag Bearer

19,000,000,000
20,000,000,000

Money to NRM MPs to popularise sole

4 candidature

6,000,000,000

5 "Posh Cars" for Party Officials

10,000,000,000

6 Party Primary Elections

30,000,000,000

TOTAL

100,000,000,000

Sources: Office of Chairperson NRM Electoral Commission, key

informant interviews, media reports.

FDC Party Minimum Expenses June December 2015

Table 4: FDC Party Expenses June December 2015
Total
Minimums
(UGX)

Expense Category
1

Party Delegates Conference at UMA

2nd Party Delegates Conference for Pres. Frag Bearer elections

at Nambole

3
4

Contribution to TDA
Fuel on Campaign Trail @ 900,000

10
11

Kizza Besigye Posters

Hire of sound system for entire campaign period of 60 days
(November & December) @700,000 per day
Mobilisation and Coordination @ 550,000 per district
Radio Talk Shows

12

Reimbursement of Nomination fees to 267 MP flag bearers

200,000,000
210,000,000
50,000,000
54,000,000

TOTAL

120,000,000
42,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
801,000,000
1,512,000,000

Source: Office of the Secretary General, FDC

6

The graphic representation below shows that the minimum expenses that were incurred by the NRM
party in five months (May October 2015) before nominations for presidential candidates, is over 66
times more than what the strongest opposition party FDC has spent in seven month (May December
2015).
Figure 3: Comparison between NRM Party and FDC Party Spending

Comparison in Expenditure Between NRM and FDC

100,000,000,000
80,000,000,000
60,000,000,000
40,000,000,000
20,000,000,000
0
NRM (May - Oct. 2015

FDC (May - Dec.2015

Increase in Party Expenses

ACFIM Results further show that generally most political parties have increased their expenses
from the months of November to December to the overall tune of 77%. The only exceptions are
Democratic Party (DP) and Go Forward political group both of which saw a decline in their
expenditure by 48% and 23% respectively. The highest increase is in expenditure is by
Independent Candidates in the MP races with an increase of 266%, followed by the NRM party
flag bearers with a 72% increase, FDC with a 25% increase and UPC with a 24% increase. Also
other parties saw an increase in the expenditure by 81% over the periods of November to
December 2015.

Figure 4: % Change in Expenses by Party & Party Members (November & December)

Minimum Expenses (Nov-Dec 2015)

300

% INCREASE/DECREASE

250
200
150
100
50
(50)
(100)
PARTY/ PRESSURE GROUP

Minimum Amounts Spent by District

According to ACFIM observer reports, most of the expenditure by Candidates/Parties in both
November & December was in Kampala District (26.5%), followed by Luweero District (17.0%),
Masaka District (9.4%) and at 6.9% the districts of Iganga and Jinja. The least expenditure was in
the districts of Hoima, Nwoya, Lira, Kabarole and Kanungu each with less than 3% of the total
expenditure in the 2 months.
Table 5: Total Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District (Nov-Dec)
District
KAMPALA
LUWEERO
MASAKA
IGANGA
JINJA
BUSHENYI
KATAKWI
ARUA
LIRA

NOVEMBER
13,609,018,000
8,874,592,000
4,417,323,100
3,320,783,000
3,296,972,800
2,975,282,000
2,283,512,000
2,130,552,200
1,675,587,000

DECEMBER
22,859,128,000
14,599,592,500
8,491,767,000
6,153,370,900
6,241,036,000
5,593,768,000
4,263,801,000
3,721,684,000
2,322,366,200
8

% of Total
26.5
17.0
9.4
6.9
6.9
6.2
4.8
4.3
2.9

% Change
68.0
64.5
92.2
85.3
89.3
88.0
86.7
74.7
38.6

MOROTO
KABALE
APAC
HOIMA
KABAROLE
KANUNGU
NWOYA
TOTAL

1,524,316,200
1,281,064,900
1,113,817,200
826,031,600
807,675,000
780,340,000
708,302,000
49,625,169,000

2,841,009,000
2,575,309,000
2,125,504,200
1,259,060,000
1,890,503,400
1,997,027,500
1,128,108,000
88,063,034,700

3.2
2.8
2.4
1.5
2.0
2.0
1.3
100.0

86.4
101.0
90.8
52.4
134.1
155.9
59.3
77.5

Figure 5: Total Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District (Nov-Dec)

Amount Spent Per District (Nov-Dec)

AMOUNT SPENT IN UG. SHS

25,000,000,000
20,000,000,000
15,000,000,000
10,000,000,000
5,000,000,000

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER
DISTRICTS

Variation in Expenditure
All districts witnessed an increase in the expenditure by candidates/parties from the months of
November and December at an overall rate of 77.5%. The highest increase in expenditure was
observed in the district of Kanungu with 156% increase, followed by Kabarole (134%) and Kabale
(101%). The least increment in expenditure was in the districts of Lira (39%), Hoima (52%), Nwoya
(59%) and Luweero (65%).
9

Figure 6: % Increase in Amount Spent by Candidates/Parties per District

Percentage Increase/Decrease in Expenditure

(Amount Spent in Nov-Dec)
180.0
160.0

% INCREASE

140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
-

DISTRICTS

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December

Analysis of data gathered and recorded in the ACFIM database shows that for the months of
November and December, the candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total
minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni
is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%).
The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined.
Table 6: Amount Spent by Presidential Candidates in November & December
PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Amama Mbabazi
Kiiza Besigye
Baryamureba Venansius
Abed Bwanika

NOVEMBER
4,897,716,000
849,123,000
129,556,500
31,402,000
14,532,000
10

DECEMBER
22,252,640,000
498,237,000
847,103,000
64,330,000
19,779,000

% of
Total
91.61
4.55
3.30
0.32
0.12

% CHANGE
+354
-41
+554
+105
+36

Mabirizi Joseph
Maureen Faith Kyalya
TOTAL

11,571,000
3,709,500
5,937,610,000

14,915,000
1,983,000
23,698,987,000

0.09
0.02
100.00

Figure 7: Amount Spent by Presidential Candidates in November & December

25,000,000,000

Pres. Cand. Expenses Nov-Dec 2015

A
M 20,000,000,000
O
U
N 15,000,000,000
T
S 10,000,000,000
P
E
5,000,000,000
N
T
-

NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
CANDIDATES

11

+29
-47
+299

Caption: Branded chopper used in November to rally voters to turn up for candidate Yoweri
Museveni campaign rallies.

Caption: (ABOVE) FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye invested significantly in branding the
mobile campaign platform and the public address system that moves with it. BELOW: The NRM
party branded vehicle that carries the sound system and entertainers as party of the candidate
Yoweri Musevenis advance party.

12

ACFIM Observers have christened him: The Money Man. He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He
was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has
been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed
out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC they met him at White Castle
Hotel in Arua.

13

Caption: The drinks served on to attendees on Candidate Museveni Rallies This particular consignment
was in observed in Usuk, Katakwi district.

Observed Expenditure Variations

Whereas some Presidential candidates increased their expenditure between the months of
November and December 2015, some reduced on their observable expenditure. Candidates who
reduced their expenditure were Maureen Faith Kyalya with a 47% reduction and Amama Mbabazi
with a 41% reduction. However the rest of the candidates increased their expenditure with Kizza
Besigye leading the way with an increase of 554%, followed by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with a
354% increase, Baryamureba Venansius (105%), Abed Bwanika (36%) and Mabirizi Joseph with a
29% increase in expenditure.

14

Figure 8: % Change in Expenses by Presidential Candidates in November & December

% Change in Expenses by Pres. Candidates

(Nov-Dec)
% CHANGES IN EXPENSES

600
500
400
300
200
100
(100)

Yoweri
Kaguta
Museveni

Amama
Mbabazi

Kiiza Besigye Balyamureba

Venansius

Abed
Bwanika

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

15

Mabirizi
Joseph

Maureen
Faith Kyalya

CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

Information from ACFIM database shows that candidates in the 16 districts in our study scope,
spent a minimum of UGX 2,331,000 on Campaign Administration Expenses in November and UGX
3,763,000 in December, an increase of 61%. Most of the Administrative Expenses went to
Campaign Managers/Agents at 63%, followed by Campaign Offices/Attendants (13%), Drivers
(12%) and Security (8%). The least expenses are on Electricity/Water (1%) and Computer/Internet
(3%). It has been an uphill task for ACFIM research assistants/observers to collect data on
administration expenses because of the overwhelming weakness of political parties and
individual candidates in relation to keeping record of campaign expenses. In Kampala district for
example campaign offices for most candidates in the races for Member of Parliament are situated
in their homes.
Table 7: Average Campaign Admin Expenses for Nov-Dec per Parliamentary Candidate
AVERAGE EXPENSES
PER MONTH
ITEMS
Campaign Managers/Agents
Drivers
Campaign Offices/Attendants
Security
Electricity/Water
Computer/Internet
TOTAL

November
1,545,000
237,000
310,000
166,000
37,000
36,000
2,331,000

16

December
2,275,000
498,000
453,000
324,000
54,000
159,000
3,763,000

% of
Total
63
12
13
8
1
3
100

% Increase or
Decrease
+47
+110
+46
+95
+46
+342
+61

Figure 9: Campaign Administration Expenses for November and December

Average Administration Expenses per Nov-Dec

Computer/Internet
Electricity/Water
I
Security
T
E
M Campaign Offices/Attendants
S
Drivers
Campaign Managers/Agents
December

500,000

November

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

AMOUNT IN UG. SHS

The month of December 2015 saw an increase in administration expenses observed across the
74 constituencies under ACFIM study scope. The biggest increase was on Computer/Internet at
342%, followed by expenses on Drivers at 110%, followed by expenses on Security at 95%.

17

Figure 10: Percentage Change in Administration Expenses for November and December

% Increase on Admin Expenses for Nov-Dec

Computer/Internet
Electricity/Water
Security
Campaign Offices/Attendants
Drivers
Campaign Managers/Agents
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

TRANSPORT EXPENSES
The most common means of transport used to arrive at campaign events/rallies in November
and December was buses (28.0%), followed by cars (17.8%), Boda-bodas (16.1%), coasters
(11.1%) and Van/Taxi/Matatu (10.7%), Pick-ups (3.4%). Helicopters were the least means of
transportation (1.8%)

Table 8: Expenses on Means of Transport Used to Arrive at Rally/Event (Nov-Dec)

TYPE OF AUTOMOBILE USED
Bus (es)
Cars
Coaster (s)
Van/Taxi/Matatu
Boda-Bodas
Trucks/Lorries
Pick-ups

TOTAL % USE
28.0
17.8
11.1
10.7
16.1
6.5
3.4
18

% CHANGE FROM NOV-DEC

+198
+159
+66
+90
+295
+56
+38

Helicopter
Other Transport Means
TOTAL

1.8
4.7
100.0

+174
+267
+150

Figure 11: Use of Means of Transport Used to Arrive at Rally/Event (November & Dec)

Transport Means Used During Campaigns (%)

TRANSPORT MEANS USED

Other Transport Means

Helicopter
Pick-ups
Trucks/Lorries
Boda-Bodas
Van/Taxi/Matatu
Coaster (s)
Cars
Bus (es)
-

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PERCENTAGE

Analysis of Transport Expenditure Trends

Between the months of November and December, all expenses for transport means used to
arrive at campaign events/rallies increased by a combined average of 150%. The biggest increase
was on Boda-Bodas at 295%, followed by Buses at 198%, then Helicopter expenses increased by
174% and cars at 159%. The least increment in the transport means was by Pick-ups a 38%,
followed by Trucks/Lorries at 56%, and then by Coasters (66%).

19

Figure 12: % Change in Expenses on Means of Transport Used (Nov-Dec)

% Change in Transport Means Expenses for

Campaigns

TRANSPORT MEANS USED

Other Transport Means

Helicopter
Pick-ups
Trucks/Lorries
Boda-Bodas
Van/Taxi/Matatu
Coaster (s)
Cars
Bus (es)
-

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN TRANSPORT MEANS EXPENSES

Expenditure on Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses

In the months of November and December, Donations by Candidates was the biggest expense
during event/rally/consultative meetings with 44.2% of the total, followed by physical cash to
voters/agents (30.8%) and then Transport Refund to Event Attendees (10.6%). The least expenses
during event/rally/consultative meetings were Ambulance (0.2%), Alcohol (0.2%) and Venue
(0.4%).
Table 9: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%)
Resource/Expense
Donation by Candidate
Cash to Voters & Agents
Transport refunds to Event Attendees
Public Address
Food
Musicians/Entertainment

TOTAL for November

& December
4,546,895,000
3,168,958,000
1,093,194,000
410,333,000
365,507,000
193,135,000
20

%
Expenses
44.2
30.8
10.6
4.0
3.6
1.9

% CHANGE
(Nov-Dec)
828
801
258
-20
163
57

Soda
Tents
Security
Water
Alcohol
Chairs
Venue
Ambulance
TOTAL MINIMUMS

52,551,300
106,424,000
51,696,000
124,335,000
24,934,000
75,624,000
39,867,000
22,661,000
10,276,114,300

0.5
1.0
0.5
1.2
0.2
0.7
0.4
0.2
100.0

152
116
189
338
121
155
155
447
471

Figure 13: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%)

Event/Rally/Meetings Expenses in Nov-Dec

(%)
E
V
E
N
T
/
R
A
L
L
Y

E
X
P
E
N
S
E
S

Ambulance
Venue
Chairs
Alcohol
Water
Security
Tents
Soda
Musicians/Entertainment
Food
Public Address
Transport refunds to Event Attendees
Cash to Voters & Agents
Donation by candidate
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

PERCENTAGE

Analysis of Expenditure on Campaign Rallies

In the months of November and December, observed minimum expenses during
event/rally/consultative meetings in the 16 districts under ACFIM observation increased by a
combined rate of 471% with the exception of the Public Address which reduced by 20%. The
biggest increment were witnessed in Donations by Candidates with an increase of 828%, followed
21

by Cash to Voters & Agents at 801%, Ambulances at 447% and Water at 338%. The least
increments were in Musicians/Entertainment at 57%, Tents (116%) and Alcohol (121%).

Figure 14: Event/Rally/Consultative Meetings Expenses for Nov-Dec (%)

Event/Rally/Meetings % Change for Nov-Dec

Ambulance
Venue

Event/Rally Meetings Expenses

Chairs
Alcohol
Water
Security
Tents
Soda
Musicians/Entertainment
Food
Public Address
Transport refunds to Event Attendees
Cash to Voters & Agents
Donation by candidate
0

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
PERCENTAGE INCREASE

Expenditure on Campaign Materials

T-Shirts account for the biggest percentage (73.61%) of observed minimum expenditure on
campaign materials in the months of November and December 2015. T-shirts are followed by
Shirts (14.49%), Caps (5.26%) and Fliers (4.16%). The campaign materials that were least spent
on were Wrist Bands (0.01%) and Banners (0.10%).
Table 10: Campaign Materials Expenses for November & December
Item
T-Shirts
Shirts
Fliers

NOVEMBER
2,103,984,000
240,000,000
125,441,400

DECEMBER
9,182,020,000
1,981,955,000
512,931,500
22

PERCETAGE
73.61
14.49
4.16

CHANGE
336
726
309

Caps
Badges
Posters
Others
Billboards
Banners
Bandanas
Branded Kitenges
Wrist Bands
TOTAL MINIMUM

108,070,000
31,000,000
26,047,000
12,768,000
6,600,000
6,090,000
5,250,000
3,000,000
525,000
2,668,775,400

698,938,000
25,110,000
92,787,500
69,175,000
15,300,000
9,095,000
34,877,000
40,562,500
965,000
12,663,716,500

5.26
0.37
0.78
0.53
0.14
0.10
0.26
0.28
0.01
100.00

547
-19
256
442
132
49
564
1252
84
375

Figure 3: Campaign Materials Expenses for November & December

Campaign Materials Expenses for Nov-Dec

AMOUNT IN UG. SHS

10,000,000,000
8,000,000,000
6,000,000,000
4,000,000,000
2,000,000,000
-

NOVEMBER

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

DECEMBER

Analysis of Campaign Materials Expenditure

Overall, expenses on campaign materials increased by 375% in the months of November and
December relative to the previous two months of October and September, 2015. Whereas
expenses on Badges reduced by 19%, all the other expenses on campaign materials increased.
The highest increase was got from Branded Kitenges at 1252%, followed by Shirts at 726% and
23

then Bandanas at 564%. The least increase was in Banners at 49%, Wrist Bands at 84% and
Billboards at 132%.

Figure 4: Overall Campaign Materials Expenses (Nov-Dec)

Campaign Materials Representation (%)

C
A
M
P
A
I
G
N

M
A
T
E
R
I
A
L
S

Branded Kitenges
Banners
Others
Badges
Fliers
T-Shirts
0

20

40

60

80

PERCENTAGE

Electronic and Print Media Expenses

Most of the expenses were on Talk Shows (40%), followed by Radio Adverts/Jingles (22%),
facilitation tor Journalists (18%), Print Media (16%), DJ Mentions (2%), SMS Blasts (1%) and Robbo
Calls (1%).
Table 11: Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December
Item
Talk Shows
Radio Adverts/Jingles
Print media
Facilitation for Journalists
DJ Mentions

November
55,340,000
39,962,000
32,370,000
29,237,000
4,707,000
24

December
271,819,000
141,172,000
96,743,000
118,477,000
15,002,000

% of Total
40
22
16
18
2

% Change
391
253
199
305
219

SMS Blasts
Robbo calls
TOTAL MINIMUMS

3,635,000
1,250,000
166,501,000

7,140,000
3,250,000
653,603,000

1
1
100

96
160
293

Figure 5: Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December

Electronic & Print Media

2%

1%

1%

18%

Talk Shows
40%

Radio Adverts/Jingles
Print media
Facilitation for Journalists
DJ Mentions

16%

SMS Blasts
Robbo calls
22%

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec)

Reports from ACFIM Research Assistants show that candidate Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors
in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate
Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign
trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the
candidates campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press
conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about
50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the
region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX
40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing.

25

Figure 18: Minimum Expenditure on Journalists by Presidential Candidate

250000000
200000000
150000000
100000000
December

50000000
0

November

December

Analysis of Expenditure on Media

Between the months of November and December, all Electronic & Print Media expenses
increased by an overall average of 293%. The biggest increase was in Talk Shows (391%), followed
by Facilitation for Journalists (305%) and then Radio Adverts/Jingles (253%).

26

Figure 19: % Change in Electronic and Print Media Expenses for November & December

% Change in Electronic & Print Media (Nov-Dec)

600

PERCENTAGE CHANGE

500
400
300
200
100
0

ELECTRONIC & PRINT MEDIA ITEMS

Expenses on Handout Materials

Different materials were handed out to voters by campaign agents of political candidates during
campaigns in the months of November and December. These included Hoes (21.1%), Food
(21.1%), Sugar (20.0%), Sauce Pans (15.7%), Seeds (8.6%), Salt (8.3%) and others (5.2%).
Table 12: Handout Materials Expenses in November & December
Material Items
Hoes
Food
Sugar
Sauce pans

NOVEMBER
14,238,000
14,045,000
13,665,400
12,015,000

Handout Materials
DECEMBER
TOTAL
35,238,000
49,476,000
35,637,000
49,682,000
33,405,400
47,070,800
24,865,000
36,880,000
27

PERCENT
21.1
21.1
20.0
15.7

% CHANGE
147
154
144
107

Salt
Seeds
Others
TOTAL

4,308,400
1,600,000
4,580,000
64,451,800

15,084,000
18,702,000
7,600,000
170,531,400

19,392,400
20,302,000
12,180,000
234,983,200

8.3
8.6
5.2
100.0

250
1069
66
165

Figure 6: Handout Materials Expenses in November & December

Handout Materials for Nov & Dec

60,000,000

Value of Items ()Ug. Shs

50,000,000
40,000,000
30,000,000
DECEMBER
20,000,000

NOVEMBER

10,000,000
Hoes

Food

Sugar

Saurce
pans

Salt

Seeds

Others

Material Items (in a pack)

Examples of Handout Materials Observed in Constituencies in November and December

28

Caption: Boxes of Mukwano soap source pans and other items awaiting distribution to supporters of
incumbent Katikamu North MP Abraham Byandaala in Luweero district.

29

Caption: Plastic chairs and NASECO maize seeds donated by incumbent Member of Parliament
for Bukoto Central in Masaka District and incumbent Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi.

Caption: Mama Kit donated by incumbent Member of Parliament for Jinja Municipality East Constituency

30

Analysis of Expenditure on Handout Materials

On average, minimum expenses on handout materials increased by 165% between the months
of November and December. The biggest increase was in expenses for Seeds (1069%), followed
by Salt at 250% then Food at 154%.

Figure 21: % Increase in Expenses on Handout Materials in November & December

% Increase in Expenses on Material Items

(Nov-Dec)
166

247
Hoes

254

Food
244
1169

Sugar
Saurce pans
Salt

207

Seeds
Others

350

Branded Mineral Water Bottles for some Candidates

31

Table 13: Examples of Materials Handed Out During Campaigns

EXAMPLES OF HANDOUT MATERIALS DURING CAMPAIGNS

District
APAC
ARUA
BUSHENYI
HOIMA

IGANGA
JINJA
KABALE
KANUNGU
KAMPALA
KATAKWI
LUWEERO
MASAKA
MOROTO
MWOYA
LIRA

Parish/Village
Western Ward B, Akere
Atik Owang
Nicu
Bushenyi Town
Katungu
Nyagabo
Lunju
Nyamundeija
Nsale/Nawansega
Bukoyo, Busu Village
Butamila/Buyengo
Nyakabungo
Kabale Municipality
Rugyeyo
Kambuga
Kawempe 2
Nakivubo
Alogook,Wera
Agodingod,Okeriso
Lusanja/Bwaliba

Date
9/24/2015
10/9/2015
10/21/2015
11/20/2015
10/27/2015
10/23/2015
10/12/2015
10/25/2015
11/26/2015
10/8/2015
10/23/2015
10/25/2015
10/4/2015
10/22/2015
10/21/2015
10/25/2015
10/24/2015
9/23/2015
9/15/2015
11/24/2015

Event
Consultative Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Consultative Meeting
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Meeting

Party
UPC
UPC
NRM
Go Forward
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
FDC
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
FDC
NRM
NRM
NRM

Handout/Donation
Cash
Cash
Cash
Food
Movit Products
Boxes of Soap
Dozens of Plates
Jericans of Kwete
Hoes & Cash
Borehole maintenance
Iron Sheets
Salt Sachets
Bars of Soap
Cash
Cash
Sugar
Loaves of Bread
Pipes & Sockets
Plates
Tarpaulins

Total Estimate
1,200,000
1,150,000
100,000
3,004,000
6,290,000
380000
250000
30000
12,500,000
200,000
1,500,000
167,500
603,000
200,000
900,000
64,000
51,000
132,000
30,000
105000

Bwaliba/Lusanja
Kirumba, Kirumba
Kyabakuza, Kyabakuza B
Mogoth, Kisop & Atedeoi
Acherer, Arengekeju
Alero/Panyabono
Ireda West, Ireda Shamba

11/24/2015
10/22/2015
10/22/2015
10/23/2015
10/20/2015
9/22/2015
9/19/2015

Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Rally

NRM
NRM
DP
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM

Sprayer, Tarpaulin, Ball

Iron Sheets & Sand
Cow & Firewood
Bull
Jerricans of Kwete
Transport Refund
Cash

320,000
210,000
1,100,000
1,000,000
65,000
450,000
100,000

32

Donations, Fundraising/Vote Buying & Misuse of State Resources

Candidates were observed donating and fundraising on different occasions in November and
December. Churches were the main recipients of the donations (66%), followed by schools at 8%.
Other donations or fundraisings occurred in women groups (4%), mosques (3%) and youth groups
(2%). Other donations accounted for 17% of the expenses on Donations, Fundraising/Vote
Buying.
Table 14: Donations & Fundraising/Vote Buying for November-December
Donations & Fundraising / Vote Buying
November
December
Total
148,420,000
297,110,000
445,530,000
15,490,000
39,640,000
55,130,000
8,740,000
14,822,500
23,562,500
6,100,000
14,600,000
20,700,000
3,632,000
8,790,000
12,422,000
54,350,800
60,924,000
115,274,800
236,732,800
435,886,500
672,619,300

Item
Churches
Schools
Women Groups
Mosques
Youth Groups
Others
TOTAL

PERCENT
66
8
4
3
2
17
100

% CHANGE
100
156
70
139
142
12
84

Figure 22: Donations & Fundraising/Vote Buying for November-December

Donations & Fundraising/Vote Buying

AMOUNT IN UG. SHS

300,000,000
250,000,000
200,000,000
150,000,000
100,000,000
50,000,000
Churches

November

Schools

Women
Groups

Mosques

GROUP DONATED TO

December

33

Youth
Groups

Others

Table 15: Examples of Donations in November and December 2015

EXAMPLES OF DONATIONS DURING CAMPAIGNS

District
APAC

Parish/Village
Awiri, Awiri
Ayumi London
ARUA
Kenya, Club Village
Okollo Trading Centre
BUSHENYI Ryeishe, Kitabi
Kibaare
HOIMA
Kidoma, Nyabunyira
Kyamukenda
IGANGA
Bulowoza
Buwabe
JINJA
Mafumbira/Wairaka
Nabitambala
KABALE
Central Ward
Rutengye, Kazooha
KABAROLE Bazaar, Public Library
KANUNGU Bugongi
Katete
KATAKWI Northern Ward,Katanga
Ongongoja, Akwamor
LUWEERO Wobulenzi
Kasana Kisaawe
MASAKA
Kyabakuza A
Kamuzinda, Bukunda
Kimanya, Kigamba
NWOYA

Anaka Town Council

Date
9/7/2015
9/23/2015
12/11/2015
12/15/2015
12/14/2015
10/22/2015
10/26/2015
10/10/2015
9/20/2015
9/16/2015
9/22/2015
9/24/2015
10/25/2015
10/24/2015
10/2/2015
10/21/2015
10/20/2015
9/20/2015
10/10/2015
11/23/2015
11/9/2015
9/20/2015
11/1/2015
10/23/2015

Organization
Church
St. Peters Catholic Church
Fundraising
Appreciation of Supporters
Kitabi Women Group
Bwooma Women Group
Tugende Omumaiso
Kitana Catholic Church
Kasolo Women Group
Community
Pregnant Women
Farmers
All Saints Church
Kashambya Parents P. S
Njara Church Of Uganda
Namunye Mosque
Kirima Community S S
St Steven Catholic Church
Akwamor Village
Kwagalana Women Group
Healthy Centre 5
Kyabakuza Catholic Parish
Teachers Day
St Lucia

9/26/2015 Community, Hospital

34

Party
UPC
NRM
Go Forward
Independent
Independent
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
FDC
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
Independent
NRM
DP
DP
NRM
NRM

Donation
Cement
Cement
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Mama Kits
Maize Seeds
Cash
Cash
Cash
Cash
Bursaries
Cash
Iron Sheets
Iron Sheets
Cash
Cash
Beddings
Desks
Ambulance, Basins
& Boreholes

Total Estimate
2,250,000
40 Bags
1,000,000
300,000
100,000
1,500,000
400,000
300,000
300,000
1,000,000
100 Kits
14,000,000
100,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
10,000,000
3,640,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
1,000,000
880,000
2,000,000
102,200,000

Voter Tourism and Voter Hospitality

ACFIM defines voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses,
trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency
as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has
not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the
political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with
candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter
hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party
or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots
of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable
hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December
with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this.

Caption:
These are some of
the photographs
depicting voter
tourism as
observed by
ACFIM Research
Assistants in Jinja
(above) and Arua
(below) during
the months of
November and
December 2015.

35

Caption: Candidate Yoweri Museveni has 12 yellow buses on campaign trail. ACFIM observers have
reported that these buses have been used to transport voters to campaign events of the NRM
presidential candidate a clear example of voter tourism. Voter tourism is prevalent.
36

Some of the Examples of Voter Hospitality

Caption: Food being prepared at a campaign event in Bukalasa for supporters of independent
candidate Patricia Magara one of the contestants in the race for Katikamu South Member of
Parliament Luweero District.

Nexus between Voter Tourism, Voter Hospitality and Voter Bribery

Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter
hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect
recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature
of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return
for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery.

Voter Bribery
Reports submitted by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers show that voter bribery remained
prevalent in all 16 districts with all candidates across political parties, political groups and
independents being suspects of complicity. The Presidential Elections Act (as amended) 2005
[section 64] and Parliamentary Elections Act (as amended) 2005 [section 68] , define voter bribery as
an act where political candidates offer money or gifts to another person to either directly or indirectly
37

influence someone to vote or not to vote in a particular way. Based on this premise ACFIM members
argue that offering donations in cash or kind, handout materials, cash, voter tourism or generosity
that manifests in what ACFIM calls voter hospitality are all intended to influence voters to vote for
the particular candidates that have provided the inducements. This should be understood as forms
of voter bribery and must be condemned without qualification. Relevant government institutions
and should investigate and sanction political candidates and their agents that engage in these
practices.

Misuse of Government Resources

Section 27 of the Presidential Elections Act (as amended) 2005 makes it illegal for any candidate to
use government resources for the purpose of campaigning for election. ACFIM observers reported
mainly incidents of misuse of government vehicles to transport voters to campaign rallies/events. On
the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Musevenis rally
held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally
include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C.
UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number
UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground.

Caption: Office of the President van was observed being used to ferry people to attend the NRM
flag bearers rally in Jinja district. This is in breach of the legal provisions against use of government
resources for campaigns.
38

Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament
Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign
attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa.

Caption: Bus used by independent candidate Katikamu South, Luweero District, Patricia Magara to
transport attendees to her first rally at Bukalasa after being successfully nominated in Luweero.
ACFIM observers report that the bus had been picking campaign event attendees from Wobulenzi,
Bombo, Nyimbwa and other villages to Bukalasa all day. Patricia is a daughter to the late bush war
veteran Sam Magara. Here the bus was pictured at the venue of her nomination rally at Bukalasa.
This is blatant misuse of government resources for campaigns a violation of section 27 (1) of the
Presidential Elections Act 2005.

39

Table 16: Other Examples of Misuse of Government/State Resources

EXAMPLES OF MISUSE OF STATE RESOURCES

District
KABALE

Parish/Village
Kashasha, Ndeego
Nyaruhanga, Ntaranga
KATAKWI Omodoi,Atirir
LUWEERO Luweero TC/Kasana
Zirobwe
Bukalasa
MASAKA Kyantale, Kyanamukaka
Kyantale, Kyanamukaka
Kamuzinda,Bulegeya
IGANGA
Bulubandi Central 'B'
KATAKWI Omodoi, Atirir
LIRA
Omot

Date
10/17/2015
10/14/2015
10/19/2015
11/9/2015
12/3/2015
12/3/2015
9/14/2015
9/14/2015
10/22/2015
12/3/2015
10/19/2015
11/3/2015

Vehicle/Government Office Used for Party

UG 2253C
Sub County Premises
UG 2600E
UG 2688R,UG 2183C,UG 2405C,UG 2708R,UG
BUS UG0187D
UG0187D
UG 1771C, UG 1831C, UG 2236C
SUB- COUNTY HALL FOR KYANAMUKAKA S/C
UG 2431C, UG 1831C, UG 2340C, UG 2339C
UG 3077R
UG 2600E
UP 4690

40

Party
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
Independent
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM
NRM

Event
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Consultative Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Consultative Meeting
Consultative Meeting
Campaign Meeting
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally
Campaign Rally

Paradigm Shift in Ugandas Campaign Financing Culture

ACFIM observers in all 15 districts report that the norm of political candidates offering inducements in
cash and/or kind to voters in return for their support come polling day was prevalent in November and
December. It can be argued that this practice epitomizes Ugandas political culture. ACFIM has noted that
since July 2015 some political parties and many political candidates have spent unprecedented and
unsustainable amounts of money on things and services that are clearly intended to induce citizens to
support their candidature. This largely accounts for the growing levels of commercialization of politics
that stands as a major bottleneck to the countrys democratization process. That notwithstanding ACFIM
Observers are reporting an increase number of citizens that have been observed to make financial and inkind contribution towards the campaign expenses of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. FDC Secretary
General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi revealed that candidate Besigye has been collecting an average of
UGX 1.5million every day from supporters in different districts/constituencies visited thus far. This trend
has now trickled down to parliamentary candidates. ACFIM observers in Iganga Municipality reported that
FDC flag bearer in the race for Member of Parliament Mudyobole Nasser while at a campaign rally in
Kasokoso, Iganga Municipality, was observed receiving financial and in-kind contributions from some of
the citizens that came to his rally. This is a paradigm shift in Ugandas political culture that should
necessarily be encouraged because it is critical to restoring political accountability to the citizens.

Caption: The campaign trail of candidate Kizza Besigye has been characterized with images like
this where citizens donate money towards his campaign expenses. ACFIM observers in Bushenyi
District reported that on Sunday the 20th of December 2015, candidate Kizza Besigye (pictured
above) attended mass at St Kagwa Parish church and later a service at All Saints Church where
Christians in both churches made total cash contributions of UGX 1.2million for FDC presidential
candidate.
41

RECOMMENDATIONS

ACFIM strongly recommends the following to happen:

1. Relevant government institutions namely the Electoral Commission, the Police and
Inspectorate of Government should consider investigating further the breaches in
electoral laws on voter bribery and misuse of government resources for campaigns that
have been exposed in this report. Once brought to the attention the office of the Director
Public Prosecutions, prosecutors must take the cases seriously and bring them to court
expeditiously.
2. Government through the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs should consider
amending legal provisions on voter bribery in the Presidential Elections Act 2005 and
Parliamentary Elections Act 2005 to strengthen punishments against voter bribery. In
addition voter bribery should be redefined to include all actions that are aimed at
inducing or influencing citizens to vote for particular candidates as revealed in this report.
Practices like donations, handout materials, cash handouts, voter-tourism and voterhospitality among others are clearly given to induce/bribe voters. These should be
qualified as acts of voter bribery. Candidates convicted of voter bribery should be banned
from contesting any elections for at least five years. Uganda needs a specific law to
regulate campaign financing.
3. Ugandans from all walks of life including religious leaders, cultural leaders, the academia,
civil society organisations, faith based organisations and the media among others should
take collective action to curb commercialization of politics. Specifically we need to change
people perceptions on vote buying/selling and encourage a culture where citizens stop
demanding for inducements from political candidates. The practice of ordinary citizens
making donations towards political candidates during campaigns should be strongly
encouraged.

42

APPENDIX I
Table 17: NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015
OBSERVABLE
MINIMUM COST

EXPENSE
1

15,000,000,000

Money advanced per village to reactivate NRM village structures

Delegates Conference that confirmed Pres. Sole candidates and amending the
constitution to make SC position appointive

2nd Delegates Conference to elect Party Flag Bearer October 30-November 2nd

20,000,000,000

Money received by NRM MPs to popularise sole candidature of Pres. Museveni

6,000,000,000

"Posh Cars" for Party Officials

10,000,000,000

Party Primary Elections

30,000,000,000

Outdoor Advertising

19,000,000,000

a) Bill Boards

1,274,100,000

b) Posters

1,706,400,000

c) Banners

214,550,000

Media Advertising
a) Newspapers

132,370,000

b) Radio

439,962,000

c) Television

829,200,000

Yellow T-Shirts

15,806,630,000

10

Other Expenses
Allowances for Journalists on Campaign Trail

42,000,000

Allowances for Media Coordinator

7,000,000

Cash to constituency coordinators to transport supporters to rally (voter tourism)

First Aid

140,000,000
5,000,000

Water and/or Soda in cartons

28,800,000

Pressure groups (15 in W.Nile, 7 in Luweero)

7,350,000

Tents

2,400,000

Plastic Chairs

4,000,000

Team coordinators' allowances per district

Cash to 400 FDC Converts that given by Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde at White Castle
Hotel, Arua

6,000,000

Cash to 60 boda-boda riders in Arua

20,000,000
1,200,000

12,000 A3 Glossy Color Posters valued at 1,000/=

12,000,000

43

65 packs of yellow T-shirts each containing 48 pieces valued at 8,000/= each

Compensation to BCU farmers' arrears out of the 9bn demanded

24,960,000
4,000,000,000

Fuel for 2 media vans per day

24,000,000

Fuel (full tank) for 12 Coasters per day

72,000,000

Allowance for 500 SFC men and women 20,000 per day for 30 days
Facilitation for at least 40 Journalists on 6 regional press conferences in Lango, W.Nile,
Gulu, Karamoja, Kapchorwa and Soroti: 500,000/= per person
TOTAL MINIMUM

300,000,000
120,000,000
125,219,922,000

44

APPENDIX II
Table 18: SUMMARY of NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015
OBSERVABLE
MINIMUM COST

EXPENSE
Party Primary Elections
2nd Delegates Conference to elect Party Flag Bearer October 30-November
2nd
Delegates Conference that confirmed Pres. Sole candidates and amending
the constitution to make SC position appointive

30,000,000,000

Yellow T-Shirts

15,806,630,000

Money advanced per village to reactivate NRM village structures

15,000,000,000

"Posh Cars" for Party Officials

Money received by NRM MPs to popularize sole candidature of Pres.
Museveni

10,000,000,000

20,000,000,000
19,000,000,000

6,000,000,000

Compensation to BCU farmers' arrears out of the 9bn demanded

4,000,000,000

Outdoor Advertising

3,195,050,000

Media Advertising

1,401,532,000

Other Expenses

816,710,000

TOTAL MINIMUM

125,219,922,000

45

Figure 23: SUMMARY of NRM Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015

Summary of NRM Major Expenses by November 2015

Other Expenses
Media Advertising
Outdoor Advertising

MAJOR EXPENSES

Compensation to BCU farmers' arrears out of the 9bn demanded

Money received by NRM MPs to popularise sole candidature of
Pres. Museveni
"Posh Cars" for Party Officials
Money advanced per village to reactivate NRM village structures
Yellow T-Shirts
Delegates Conference that confirmed Pres. Sole candidates and
amendin the constitution to make SC position appointive
2nd Delegates Conference to elect Party Flag Bearer October 30November 2nd
Party Primary Elections
0

10,000,000,000

20,000,000,000

30,000,000,000

AMOUNT IN UGANDA SHILLINGS

46

APPENDIX III
Table 19: FDC Party Minimum Expenses by November 2015
MINIMUM TOTAL
EXPENDITURE

EXPENSE
1 Party Delegates Conference at UMA
2

200,000,000

2nd Party Delegates Conference for Pres. Frag Bearer elections at

Namboole

210,000,000

3 Contribution to TDA

50,000,000

4 Fuel on Campaign Trail @ 1,000,000

30,000,000

5 Posters

120,000,000

6 Upkeep for team on campaign trail

379,240,000

7 Allowances for campaign agents

164,245,000

Hire of sound system for entire campaign period of 95 days

@700,000 per day

21,000,000

Mobilization and Coordination @ 550,000 per district

20,900,000

Radio Talk Shows

10,000,000

10

11 Reimbursement of Nomination fees to 267 MP flag bearers

12 Others

801,000,000
290,480,000

TOTAL

1,293,965,000

47

APPENDIX IV
Table 20: Amama Mbabazi Minimum Expenses in WestNile

Candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi

West Nile (Arua, Yumbe, Koboko)
Minimum
Unit
Expenditure Total No. of
Observable
Expense
Units
per day
Days
Minimum Cost
1 Fuel
0
0
0
0
2 Allowances for Journalists on Campaign Trail 20
150,000
14
42,000,000.00
3 Publicity
1
5,000,000
1
5,000,000.00
4 PA System
1
2,000,000
1
2,000,000.00
5 Cash to Bodaboda cyclists
40
20,000
1
800,000.00
7 Pressure groups
20
300,000
1
6,000,000.00
8 Facilitation for Organising Committee
1
2,000,000
1
2,000,000.00
9 T-shirts
250
8,000
1
2,000,000.00
10 GO Forward Tags
1,500
300
1
450,000.00
11 A3 Glossy Colour Posters
20,000
1,000
1
20,000,000.00
13 Fliers
10,000
500
1
5,000,000.00
TOTAL MINIMUM
85,250,000.00

48