Uganda’s electoral body, the Electoral Commission, has officially confirmed the appointment of Richard Baabo Kamugisha as its new Secretary, placing a long-serving election management expert at the centre of the institution responsible for organising national polls.
The commission announced that Kamugisha’s appointment took effect on March 4, 2026. His confirmation ends a period in which he had been serving in the same role in an acting capacity while the institution awaited a permanent appointment.
Kamugisha stepped into the acting position after the departure of Leonard Mulekwah, who left the commission in late 2024 following allegations of corruption. Since then, Kamugisha had been overseeing the day-to-day administrative functions of the commission as interim Secretary.
With the official appointment now confirmed, Kamugisha becomes the chief administrator of the Electoral Commission. The role also makes him the accounting officer and head of the technical and management arm of the institution, placing him in charge of coordinating the commission’s operational activities.
The Electoral Commission described Kamugisha as a seasoned professional with deep knowledge of election administration. According to the commission, he has worked within the institution for more than two decades, building extensive experience in the management of electoral processes.
Kamugisha first joined the Electoral Commission in 1999, beginning his career as a District Registrar and District Returning Officer. Over the years, he rose through the ranks while handling several critical responsibilities connected to organizing and supervising elections across Uganda.
His career later saw him take on senior leadership roles including Head of the Field Operations Department and Director of Operations. These positions placed him at the heart of planning and executing electoral activities in different parts of the country.
Under the Electoral Commission Act, Kamugisha will serve a five-year term as Secretary, which can be renewed once. During his tenure, he is expected to oversee preparations for the country’s next general elections scheduled for 2031, an exercise that will again place the Electoral Commission under intense public and political scrutiny.
