The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that at least 21 million Ugandans are expected to take part in the January 15, 2026, general elections.
EC said that women account for 53% of the registered voters and men, 47%.
Speaking during a press briefing at the commission’s offices in Kampala, EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said Uganda currently has 146 districts, 312 counties 50, 739 polling stations. The commission’s preparations, he added, are in advanced stages ahead of the polls scheduled for 15 January.
Byabakama said the EC has set aside November 27th and 28th as special nomination days for candidates in constituencies where nominated contenders died after their nomination papers had been accepted. These fresh nominations will apply to both local government and parliamentary positions.
Districts that lost candidates at the local government level include Kasanda, Kabong, Nakasongola, Sironko, Kwania, and Tororo. Byabakama said the fresh nomination process is mandated under electoral laws to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised.
The EC chairperson urged the public to participate actively in the election process and to remain peaceful throughout the campaign season.
“In this regard, I urge all Ugandans to embrace the coming general elections slated for 15 January and exercise their rights as provided for in the Constitution of Uganda,” Byabakama said.
He also revealed that the EC will recruit 1,000 temporary staff to train election officers and to familiarise them with the technical equipment that will be used during the polling process. Uganda will again rely on biometric voter verification technology, which was first deployed in the 2016 elections.
Byabakama condemned the increasing use of hate speech and tribal sentiments by some political actors during the ongoing campaigns, saying such conduct undermines democratic principles.
“This is not fair and does not portray the qualities of a good leader,” he said.
Uganda is in the midst of a tense election season, with political parties and candidates mobilising their supporters across the country.
Byabakama said the EC will issue updated voter registers and campaign guidelines in the coming weeks as part of its final preparations.
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