Students Network for Electoral Integrity Uganda (SNEI)

About Students Network on Electoral Integrity (SNEI)

Students Network on Electoral Integrity Uganda (SNEI), an initiative of Students for Global Democracy Uganda and other partner CSOs, educational institutions and stakeholders working on free and fair elections to promote and advocate for democratic norms and standards, which adhere to the cornerstone of electoral integrity, including the following:

• Fairness: students should have the same rights as any other to determine who governs them
• Inclusivity: removing barriers to electoral participation, so that every eligible individual, including students of voting age can cast a ballot
• Transparency: help bring corruption and unfair advantages to light. This safeguard is necessary to prevent activities that could erode trust in democracy

How was SNEI formed?

SNEI concept is an initiative of Students for Global Democracy Uganda, among the many initiatives under the "Strengthening Students Participation in Electoral Processes Program". It has been created through a collective effort among educational institutions, including high schools and universities and civil society organizations working on free and fair election related activities across the country. While Students for Global Democracy Uganda is overseeing the Network's implementation, the initiative is a collaborative effort with other partners.

Why the Student Community

The Student community in Uganda represents a significant cohort of the total population that should be at the centre of national development and a new generation of active participants in the electoral process. Their immense numbers, energy, potential, dynamism and technical know-how make them a reliable voter constituency. However, the student community is not well informed on the electoral process. The existing voter education initiatives and knowledge are not accessible and student-friendly.

There is little accessible literature, promotional materials like banners, leaflets, manuals and all the related IEC materials on voter education. Further, there has never been a structural entry point to institutions of higher learning for such campaigns. Also, there lacks a coordinated approach or strategy of electoral process activities amongst stakeholders, mainly between the students on one hand and the other public, private and CSO players on the other hand to address the phenomenon.

In the previous elections, the Citizen's Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) played an important role in helping more young people and students participate and understand the meaning of elections through the "Honor your Vote Campaign", however despite this engagement, access of information and participation was limited through to this category of young people.

SNEI Uganda's Strategic Goal

To enhance students' participation in advancing electoral integrity

SNEI Uganda's Key Objectives:

• Carryout mass voter education and registration in student communities. Under take voter education and registration programs targeting schools, universities and communities.
• Advocating for electoral reforms. Mobilize and coordinate a strong organized student community possessing capacity to advocate and lobby for suitable electoral reforms.
• Promoting effective student participation in electoral processes. Design and coordinate constructive platforms that will provide a forum through which the students will be able to engage in the electoral process.
• Promote non-violence and peaceful elections. Sensitization and mass awareness among student communities on the dangers of election violence and dividends of peaceful elections.

SNEI Uganda's Focus/Advocacy Areas:

• Protecting the rights of all eligible voters, including students, enabling their participation in the electoral process without intimidation and harassment
• Making sure that election management bodies and political parties are strong and have equal access to voters
• Strengthening election processes through reforms that address concerns, investigate complaints and ensure accountability
• Mitigating electoral violence and ensuring electoral justice
• Breaking down barriers that hinder the participation of marginalized groups
• Empowering election officials by providing essential resources and support
• Preventing politicians or special interests from manipulating the outcome or dictating election rules
• Developing election systems and processes that are secure, accessible and accurate
• Safeguarding elections from interference from foreign adversaries or domestic political entities

SNEI Uganda's Ongoing Election Related Activities

• Mock Election Programs in High Schools
• Popularizing Electoral Reforms among the Student Community
• Democracy Walks in the communities
• Social Media Campaign on Voter Engagement
• Monitoring and observing Secondary School student leaders' Elections and University Guild Elections as mock exercises and precursor to the national elections

SNEI Uganda's Approach

Policy makers, election officials, and the government and local election administrators are responsible for ensuring electoral integrity. In Uganda, the central government's role in elections includes participation from different arms of government, including the judiciary and parliament. However, ensuring electoral integrity is an on-going and collaborative process. It requires the central government, local government, private sector and civil society.

As Uganda continue to face threats to electoral integrity, it is paramount for the next generation of leaders to have opportunities to strengthen our educational and civic institutions and democratic processes. Students Network for Electoral Integrity (SNEI) will invest in the future of electoral integrity by young people, principally the student community and like-minded individuals throughout Uganda, prioritizing the inclusion of students and other marginalized youth.

SNEI's goal is inspiring and engaging the student community in advancing electoral integrity. SNEI believes that empowered student community can a play a civic duty and responsibility towards upholding democratic values.

SNEI approaches electoral integrity in three staggered yet overlapping stages. We focus first on engaging students in conversations towards promoting electoral integrity, helping them to register to vote. Then we help students to be informed about the current election so they know who is on the ballot and access resources to help them determine how they will vote. Finally, we focus on turnout so students know the ways they can vote and receive the final encouragement to cast their ballot.

SNEI High Schools Membership

SNEI Universities Membership

SNEI Civil Society Organizations Membership

SNEI Steering Committee Members