By Caroline Kirabo
Justice Byabakama has over 35 years of experience in the legal practice and administration of justice. He holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (Makerere University, 1980) and a Diploma in Legal Practice (Law Development Center, 1980).
In 1992, he was appointed a principal state attorney and later promoted to senior state attorney at the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) headquarters in 1996. He was elevated to the rank of Deputy Director of Public Prosecution and appointed a High Court Judge in May 2008.
Justice Byabakama served as resident judge in Lira, Soroti, and Masindi districts until his appointment to the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court on promotion in October 2015.
President Museveni appointed Judge Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and seven commissioners to head the Electoral Commission on January 7, 2017, for a seven-year term.
Byabakama, while speaking to us, said that they have left the work to more than 800 members of the commission to run it until the President decides the next step.
Simon Mugenyi Byabakama said he is satisfied that the term has been a good one, and he knows that Ugandans are happy with his services, although there are a few who are not appreciative.
It should be noted that many people, especially the National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, during the 2021 general elections, said that the Electoral Commission (EC) chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, had failed to ensure a level playing field and wanted him to resign.
Meanwhile, Byabakama said if his term is not extended, he will announce his next steps, including returning to the judiciary to serve there again.
Judge Simon Byabakama was appointed by President Museven in 2016 to succeed Badru Kiguddu.