In a significant move toward ensuring free and fair elections, the Electoral Commission of Uganda has launched the General Update of the National Voters Register. This exercise, which runs from January 20 to February 10, 2025, aims to enable all eligible Ugandan citizens to participate in the upcoming 2025-2026 General Elections.
The update exercise is a major step toward inclusive and transparent elections, offering an opportunity for new voters to register, existing voters to transfer their voting locations, and all voters to verify their registration details.
“We are committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process,” said Mr. Julius Muchunguzi, EC spokesperson, emphasizing that, “This exercise is a critical step toward achieving that goal.”
The update also focuses on including marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth, and older persons. Specialized voter registers will be updated to ensure these groups are represented and able to participate in the electoral process.
Ugandan citizens have welcomed the update, expressing optimism that it will lead to a more inclusive and transparent electoral process.
“This is a great opportunity for us to ensure that our voices are heard,” said Mr. John Batabane, a citizen in Jinja city. “We are excited to participate in the update and look forward to free and fair elections.”
The Electoral Commission has assured citizens that the update will be conducted transparently and accountably, with measures in place to prevent fraud and safeguard the electoral process’s integrity.
With the update underway, Uganda is taking significant steps to ensure elections are inclusive, transparent, and free from irregularities.
According to Mr. Muchunguzi, the update aims to register all eligible Ugandans aged 18 and above who are not already in the EC’s registry. It also allows registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations to apply for such transfers.
“A person already registered as a voter does not need to register again. This exercise will allow them to check and confirm that their details are correct and that they appear on the Voters Register at their chosen voting locations,” Mr. Muchunguzi stated.
The Commission will also compile and update voter registers for the National Youths, Persons with Disabilities, and Older Persons for elections in their respective councils and leadership positions.
Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, EC chairperson, revealed that the commission is targeting to register 22 million Ugandans by the end of the campaign.
During the launch of the exercise on Monday at Kamwokya market polling station in Kampala, Byabakama disclosed, “We expect the number of voters to increase by four million, and polling stations will also increase.”
Notably, 18.4 million Ugandans participated in the 2021 general elections across 370,000 polling stations, with Byabakama highlighting a sharp increase in both voters and polling venues in the anticipated 2026 general elections.
Ms. Faridah Lule, Executive Director of Ushahidi Foundation Uganda, called for urgent amendments to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process. She emphasized the need for a robust biometric system, public access to the voter register, and independent audits to prevent discrepancies and ensure accountability.
Ms. Lule also highlighted the importance of accessible polling stations for PWDs, nationwide civic awareness campaigns to tackle voter disengagement, and a “Name and Shame” campaign to expose electoral wrongdoers and foster accountability.
“The 2025/2026 General Election presents an opportunity for Uganda to restore trust in its electoral system and ensure every citizen’s right to vote is respected and upheld,” Ms. Lule said.
“We urge all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, political parties, security forces, civil society organizations, and voters, to take collective responsibility in building an election that is transparent, credible, and inclusive,” she added.
The call for reforms follows concerns raised about the voter register’s accuracy during the 2020/2021 General Elections. The Electoral Commission reported 18,103,603 voters on Election Day, but questions were raised about the presence of deceased persons, underage voters, and non-citizens on the register.
Ms. Lule’s call for reforms echoes the changes civil society organizations and opposition parties have advocated for over time. The Electoral Commission has since committed to ensuring a free and fair election.
The Electoral Commission is mandated under Article 61(1)(e) of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 (as amended), and Sections 18 and 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 140) to compile, maintain, revise, and update the National Voters Register.
The general update of the voters’ register comes as the political season gains momentum, with political actors using events like burials, weddings, and other local gatherings to promote their ambitions for various seats.
In early 2025, political parties are expected to begin primaries to select their candidates for the 2026 general elections.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, is dominant in party primaries, with opposition candidates typically only appearing on general election ballots.
Allegations suggest that President Museveni may be endorsed as the sole candidate to represent the NRM in the presidential election.
