A number of people intending to aspire for various political positions in forthcoming elections of 2021 in Mukono district criticize National Council for Higher Education-NCHE for hiking verification fees.
In the previous elections, aspirants without direct education entry [‘A’ level] were required to take their academic papers to NCHE for verification at a cost of shillings 750, 000 before they are nominated.
Those required to go for verification are mainly candidates vying for presidential, legislative and Local Council-LC5 positions. For the 2021 elections all candidates intending to run for similar positions are now required to pay shillings 2 million for their papers to be verified.
However, aspirants aiming for verification before standing for such positions in says the amount is too much for them since they are also required to meet other requirements such nomination fees, printing of posters and campaigning.
Emmanuel Mbonye the current speaker of Mukono district wonders how such a body can also come up with changes in prices at the time when the country is preparing for elections. He says it is an ill intention aimed at discouraging talented good leaders.
Another political aspirant at Mukono Municipality Peter Kabanda says NCHE plays government games to maintain incumbents in power by discouraging new entrants.
Ronald Mukasa a councillor at Mukono Central Division who is intending to contest for a higher position says many changes are already discouraging them from contesting.
The Public Relations Officer for NCHE Saul Waigolo says the council does not receive budget for verification of candidates yet they are now entitled to go beyond verifying from UNEB but also schools and institutions before issuing verification certificate. Waigolo says some of the candidates present document from institutions located abroad.
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