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  • Electoral Commission Strategic Plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections launched 

    Electoral Commission Strategic Plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections launched 

    Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon with his team and the Prime Minister Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja have today launched Strategic Plan for the forthcoming 2026 General Elections.
    Justice Byabakama said The Strategic Plan launched today is a result of extensive research and stakeholder consultation.
    “Following the conclusion of the 2020/2021 General Elections, the Commission conducted Post-Election Evaluation workshops across the Country with various key stakeholders in the electoral process. The stakeholders gave us their own honest assessments on how the electoral process and the conduct of the 2020/2021 General Elections were done,” he said.
    He said the Commission further conducted its own self-assessment by engaging their own staff to give their opinions on the conduct of the last General Elections and subsequent by-elections. The recommendations from various election observer reports were keenly studied, as well as the recommendations from Court decisions. All this was done to improve our election management.
    The plan was launched at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
    Below is the full address by EC Chairperson on the Strategic Plan
    On behalf of the Electoral Commission and on my own behalf, I warmly welcome you once again, to this important National event where the Commission is launching its Strategic Plan 2022/2023-2026/2027 and the Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections.
    Let me take this opportunity to thank the Guest of Honour, the Rt. Hon.Prime Minister for accepting to preside over this launch.
    We thank all our distinguished guests for honouring our invitation to come and attend this important event.
    I also want to thank the members of my Commission, the Management team, and the entire EC fraternity for the commitment you have shown while planning and carrying out Commission assignments, which are characteristically very demanding.
    I further take this opportunity to thank the people of Uganda for supporting the Commission to deliver the 2020/2021 General Elections, which were organized under extraordinary circumstances owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    These elections were unique because the risks associated with the pandemic required us to conduct electoral activities under reduced and limited time frames and modified guidelines. Furthermore, there was an increase in cost to provide for COVID-19 safety measures at all electoral activity areas, public mobilization, sensitization, and enforcement, as well as safety materials at all electoral centres. The Commission appreciates Government for providing the funding that enabled us to deliver the elections within the Constitutional timelines.
    As you are aware, the Electoral Commission is established under Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Under Article 61 of the same Constitution the Commission is mandated to, among others, ensure that regular, free, and fair elections and referenda are held.
    In so doing, the Commission is required to conduct the various activities within specified timelines as stipulated in the Constitution and other Electoral Laws.
    For instance, under Article 61 (2), the Commission must conduct general elections for Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Council elections within the first thirty (30) days of the last one hundred and twenty-two (122) days before the expiration of the term of the President, Parliament or Local Government Councils as the case may be.
    The Commission must, therefore, set particular timelines for purposes of proper planning, management, and organization of elections.
    It is in this spirit that the Commission is launching the Strategic Plan and Roadmap we are here to witness.
    Since our establishment by the Constitution, the Commission has organized and conducted six (6) general elections (1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021) as well as two referenda on political systems (2000 and 2005), and several Parliamentary and Local Government Councils elections and by-elections.
    The Strategic Plan we are launching today is a result of extensive research and stakeholder consultation. Following the conclusion of the 2020/2021 General Elections, the Commission conducted Post-Election Evaluation workshops across the Country with various key stakeholders in the electoral process. The stakeholders gave us their own honest assessments on how the electoral process and the conduct of the 2020/2021 General Elections were done.
    The Commission further conducted its own self-assessment by engaging our own staff to give their opinions on the conduct of the last General Elections and subsequent by-elections. The recommendations from various election observer reports were keenly studied, as well as the recommendations from Court decisions. All this was done to improve our election management.
    Some of the strengths identified during these evaluations include:
    a. Government commitment to fund the electoral process;
    b. An enabling legal framework;
    c. An experienced and knowledgeable workforce;
    d. Good working relationship between the members of the Commission and Staff;
    e. Forward planning through project approach and roadmap for electoral activities; and,
    f. Availability and use of technology.
    The Commission also identified the following challenges:
    a. Delayed enactment/amendment of electoral laws;
    b. Continuous creation of administrative units which brings about an increase in costs;
    c. Inadequate training of temporary election officials as a result of limited funds;
    d. Inadequate voter education because of insufficient funds.
    These evaluations and self-assessments were in line with the practice of the Commission, and it is from this background that the Commission has been able to introduce new innovations and improvements in election management. To us, every election provides lessons for the next one.
    Therefore, the objective of this Strategic Plan and Roadmap is to provide clear communication of priority areas in the Election Cycle with the aim of improving operational efficiency and stakeholder awareness and participation, by seeking to build on the positive reforms and innovations introduced in the last general elections.
    The Plan and Roadmap also aim at enhancing organizational and staff capacity planning.
    Organizing and conducting Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Councils Elections is a huge and expensive exercise, particularly when it is funded in one year. The Strategic Plan is, therefore, designed to enable phased funding of key election activities, which will reduce funding pressure on the Government and facilitate the Commission to conduct the elections in a smooth manner.
    The detailed objectives of this Strategic Plan are to:
    a) Enhance inclusive citizen participation in the electoral process;
    b) Strengthen stakeholder collaboration and engagement in the electoral process;
    c) Deliver regular free and fair elections and referenda;
    d) Improve timely, gender and equity responsive and accurate information sharing, public trust, and confidence in the electoral process; and,
    e) Strengthen the institutional capacity of the Electoral Commission.
    As you will be hearing shortly from our technical team, under each of the above strategic objectives, the Commission has formulated Strategic Goals/Activities, Budget Estimates, and attached Time frames.
    The Commission has also extracted a detailed Road Map to the 2025/2026 General Elections from the above goals.
    The Roadmap will enable the various stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve the following:
    a) Improvement in the planning for participation and implementation of electoral activities;
    b) Improvement in co-ordination of electoral activities;
    c) Timely implementation of scheduled electoral activities; and,
    d) Transparency in the implementation of electoral programs and activities.
    The Roadmap is clearly a reminder to all stakeholders in the electoral process to start planning to ensure a smooth democratic process.
    To achieve the above, the Commission appeals to the Government, particularly Cabinet and the Legislature, to ensure timely amendment and/or enactment of the relevant electoral laws. This is critical because any amendment in electoral laws will have to take into consideration, the electoral roadmap, the procurement time frames in accordance with PPDA requirements, and the impact on the overall elections planning and budget.
    Similarly, the Commission appeals to the Government to consider and approve the creation of new administrative units in a timely manner, so that the electoral program and budget are not destabilized. When this is not done, the impact on our preparations, particularly on the demarcation of electoral areas, re-organization of polling stations, and voter education is enormous.
    A soft copy of this Strategic Plan and the 2026 General Election Road map has been made available on the EC website. (www.ec.or.ug).
    Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, you will note that the projected cost for the 2025/2026 General elections has significantly gone up compared to the 2020/2021 General elections. The factors for the significant increase and the cost drivers are indicated and include the projected increase in the voter population and hence a number of polling stations; an increase in the number of elective offices and number of candidates nominated for elections; an increase in the number of Administrative Units; as well as continuous improvements/reforms in the electoral process, among others.
    As we launch the Strategic Plan and Roadmap, we also recognize that there are key pending national-level electoral activities, namely, Administrative Units (LC 1 and LC 2) and Women Councils and Committees Elections. The Commission urges Government to provide the required funds so that the above elections are held before key General Elections activities start, to avoid stampeding the Roadmap.
    The Commission wishes to caution political parties and organizations, that the release of this Strategic Plan and Roadmap is not meant to thrust the Country into a frenzy of campaign-related activities for aspiring individuals, Political parties, and organizations. While Consultations are provided for in the law, campaigns must follow a program approved and regulated by the Commission.
    I, therefore, urge Political Parties and Organisations to use the Plan and Roadmap to make adequate preparations for successful participation in the elections. I further urge the political parties to pursue peaceful co-existence before, during, and after the electoral process.
    The citizens of Uganda, in general, also have a role to play in ensuring the successful implementation of this Plan and Roadmap. I, therefore, appeal to you, fellow Ugandans, to work with the Electoral Commission and ensure a smooth implementation of the Roadmap, and the preservation of the peace and stability we are currently enjoying.
    Last but not least, I want to thank the Government of Uganda which has always provided funding to enable the Electoral Commission fulfil its Constitutional mandate. I also wish, in the same spirit, to thank those Development Partners who have been able to partner with the Government by extending electoral support to the Commission.
    My appeal is that Government continues to provide adequate funding in a timely manner to enable the Commission to undertake its constitutional obligations. I reiterate our desire for Parliament to enact laws or amendments to electoral laws in time so as not to destabilize the Roadmap.
    I once again, thank you all for responding to our invitation to the launch of this important National event, and look forward to constructive engagements hereafter.
    Thank you for your attention.
    For God and My Country,
    Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon 
     CHAIRPERSON, ELECTORAL COMMISSION
    2nd August 2023
  • EC Sets Dates for Local Government Councils By-elections, 2022

    EC Sets Dates for Local Government Councils By-elections, 2022

    The Electoral Commission has released the programme for purposes of conducting by-elections for Local Government Councils, including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), in electoral areas across the country, where vacancies exist.

    A total of fifty-six (56) vacancies for Chairpersons and Councillors, which occurred as a result of deaths and resignations, will be filled in the various Local Government Councils within twenty-six (26) districts across the country.

    The by–election programme will commence with an update of the National Voters’ Register from Monday 20th to Friday 24th June, 2022 at update stations in each parish/ward in the above electoral areas.

    EC PRO, Paul Bukenya

    The Commission has appointed Friday 24th June 2022 as the cut-off date for registration of voters and transfer of voting location in the affected electoral areas. The registration and transfer of voters from one polling station to another within parishes/wards in the above affected electoral areas will not take place after this date.

    The Commission will display the Voters’ Register at each polling station in the affected electoral areas from Monday 11th July to Wednesday 20th July 2022. During this display exercise, the Commission will issue Voting Location Slips (VLS) to registered voters, to enable them conveniently locate their respective polling station on polling day.

    Justice Simon Byabakama, EC Chairperson

    After the display exercise, the lists of all persons recommended for deletion from the Voters’ Register will also be displayed for a period of six (6) days, that is, from 22nd to 27th July 2022, at the respective Parish/Ward Headquarters within the affected electoral areas.

    The nomination of candidates will be conducted for a period of two days, that is, Wednesday 3rd August, 2022 and Thursday 4th August, 2022 at the respective City/District Headquarters.

    Candidates’ campaign meetings will be conducted for eleven (11) days, that is, from Saturday 6th August, 2022 till Tuesday 16th August, 2022.

    Polling for Councillors representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs) shall take place on Wednesday 17th August, 2022, while the polling for Chairpersons and Councillors shall take place on Thursday 18th August, 2022 at polling stations in the affected electoral areas.

  • Voter registration in the 2022 National Women Councils and Committees Elections extended to June 17th

    Voter registration in the 2022 National Women Councils and Committees Elections extended to June 17th

    The Electoral Commission has extended the deadline for the registration of women voters for purposes of participating in the village/cell Women Councils and Committees Elections, 2022.

    In a statement released on 13th June 2022, the Commission Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, said that the compilation (registration) exercise that commenced on Friday 10th June 2022 and was scheduled to close Monday, 13th June 2022, would now go on for an extra four days, until June 17th, 2022.

    “The Electoral Commission is compiling a Register of Women Residents in each village/cell across Uganda to enable all willing female residents aged 18 years and, above, to register to participate in Women Councils and Committees Elections, 2022, within their respective villages. However, due to a higher number of, applicants at some registration centres since the beginning of this exercise, and requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process, the Electoral Commission has found it necessary and taken a decision to extend the compilation (registration) period for four (4) more days, starting from Tuesday 14th June and ending on Friday 17th June 2022, after which, there will be no further extension,” Justice Byabakama said in the statement.

    “This exercise will continue to be conducted at registration centres in each village/cell throughout Uganda, starting from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, throughout the extended period. The purpose of this extension is to provide an opportunity for all eligible women who have not yet registered to do so,” he reiterated.

    The EC Chairperson, Justice James Byabakama, has emphasized that after the June 17th new deadline, there shall be no further extension of voter registration to participate in the 2022 National Women Councils and Committees Elections. The Commission has also emphasized that participation in the elections at this stage is mandatory for participating in all other subsequent elections at the Parish/Ward, City Division/Sub-County/Town Council/Municipal Division, District/City and National Conference levels

    In the statement, Justice Byabakama reiterated that only willing Ugandan females of eighteen (18) years and above, who, are residents in their respective cells/villages are eligible to register. Registration shall take place in a customized register book provided by the commission.

    The registration exercise shall be free of charge. A person appearing for registration shall be required to provide to the village election official, their names, National Identity Number or Application ID Number, as well as their age, gender, and the village of residence. The Village Women’s Committee shall consist of the following five (5) positions, namely, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, and Secretary for Finance.

    In an earlier statement, Justice Byabakama had emphasized that the conduct of Women Councils/Committees Elections is progressive starting at Village and ending at National Level, meaning that for one to be elected at the national level, she should have been successfully elected right from the village/cell level.

    “Please note that no one can join the subsequent electoral processes if she did not participate at the village level,” Justice Byabakama, emphasized.

    “The Commission urges all eligible women to turn up in high numbers and exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice at the above elective levels,” he concluded.

    Roadmap to the Women Councils and Committees Elections, 2022

    The current Women Councils and Committees were elected during the period June – August 2018, and the Executive Committee of the National Women’s Council was constituted on 23rd – 24 August 2018. According to the National Women’s Council Act, the terms of office of the said Councils and Committees is four (4) years, implying their term will elapse in August 2022.The Commission within its mandate to organise and conduct regular free and fair elections is mandated to conduct an election to choose new office bearers.

    The Electoral Commission, between 16th March and 27th March 2022 together with the Ministry of Local Government, conducted a countrywide exercise to compare, verify, harmonise and confirm all administrative units in preparation for the Women Councils and Committees Elections, 2022.

    Following the exercise, the Commission announced that for the 2022 elections, it shall consider, 146 districts; 2,191 Sub Counties/Town Councils/Municipal Divisions; 10,692 parishes/wards and 71,255 villages/cells.

    Following the exercise, to harmonise administrative units, the Commission on June 1st announced a roadmap that would commence with village/cell women committee elections, starting with a voter registration exercise running from the 10th to 13th June 2022. But this has now been extended to Friday 17th June.

    The roadmap announced on June 1st also details the election process and schedules for the compilation and display as well as nominations, campaigning and elections for women committees at Parish/Ward, City Division/Sub-County/Town Council/Municipal Division, District/City and National Conference levels.

  • Electoral Commission announces extension of the Period for the Compilation of the Village Women Residents Register

    Electoral Commission announces extension of the Period for the Compilation of the Village Women Residents Register

    The Electoral Commission is compiling a Register of Women Residents in each village/cell across Uganda to enable all willing female residents aged 18 years and above, to register in order to participate in Women Councils and Committees Elections, 2022, within their respective villages.

    The compilation (registration) exercise commenced on Friday 10th June 2022 and was scheduled to close today, Monday, 13th June 2022.

    However, due to higher numbers of applicants at some registration centers since the beginning of this exercise, and requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process, the Electoral Commission has found it necessary and taken a decision to extend the compilation (registration) period for four (4) more days, starting from Tuesday 14th June and ending on Friday 17th June 2022, after which, there will be no further extension.
    This exercise will continue to be conducted at registration centers in each village/cell throughout Uganda, starting from 8:00am to 6:00pm, throughout the extended period.
    Please note that the purpose of this extension is to provide an opportunity for all eligible women who have not yet registered to do so.
    The general public is, further reminded to carefully note the following:
    Only willing Ugandan females of eighteen (18) years and above, who are residents in their respective cells/villages are eligible to register;  The registration exercise shall be for the purpose of electing the Village Women’s Executive Committee; The village women residents shall be registered in a customized Register Book provided by the Electoral Commission; A person appearing for registration shall be required to provide the following particulars to the Village Election Official: Names; National Identity Number or Application ID Number, Age, Gender, and,Village of Residence. The registration exercise shall be free of charge.
    The Commission has, therefore, appointed Friday 17th June 2022, as the cut-off date for registration of female village residents.
    The registration of female residents in each village throughout Uganda will not be conducted after this date.
    The above was confirmed today by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon Chairperson Electoral Commission.
  • EC commences display of verified administrative Units ahead of Women council polls

    EC commences display of verified administrative Units ahead of Women council polls

    As the country awaits conduct of the Women Councils and Committee Elections from the village to national level in 2022, the Electoral Commission has kicked off display of list of verified administrative units.
    This comes after the national elections  body conducted an exercise to verify and confirm administrative units (Villages/Cells and Parishes/Wards) countrywide which started from March 1– 26 2022 across the country.
    The commission has processed the data which was compared, verified and confirmed during the exercise.
    Paul Bukenya, EC Spokesperson
    The spokesperson Electoral Commission, Paul Bukenya, said the commission will display the lists of verified administrative units from today Monday April 11 to Wednesday April 20 2022 for public viewing at the division and sub county headquarters in the respective cities and districts countrywide.
    He noted that the display exercise will be conducted during working hours throughout the above period including weekends.
    The exercise will be conducted under the direct supervision of the respective division and sub-county elections supervisors.
    Bukenya said the purpose of this display exercise is to enable the public to confirm that only existing administrative units (villages/cells and parishes/wards) and those created by April 9 2021 by way of a statutory instrument are included on the list;
    “This will also enable the public to check for the correctness/accuracy of the details of their respective administrative units, that is, the parish/ward and village/cell and enable them to confirm that the administrative units are correctly located within their respectful and rightful sub-county/town council/municipal division and parish/ward,” he said.
    He said any objection against the inclusion or omission of an administrative unit (village/cell or parish/ward) shall be raised to the respective district/city returning officer through the division/sub county supervisor using the forms provided by the EC.
    After the display exercise, Bukenya said the commission will produce the final list of administrative units which will be disseminated to all stakeholders by May 13 2022.
    “All persons participating in the display exercise shall be required to comply with guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the government of Uganda and Ministry of Health measures against the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
  • Electoral Commission kicks off verification exercise of Administrative Units ahead of LC polls

    Electoral Commission kicks off verification exercise of Administrative Units ahead of LC polls

    The Electoral Commission has today started a 10-day verification exercise aimed at confirming all the administrative units (villages and parishes) across the country ahead of LC and Women council polls.
    Justice Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission Chairperson said the exercise will run from Thursday March 17th to Saturday, March 26, 2022 in all districts and cities across the country.
    “The Commission will conduct the verification/confirmation of administrative units in a participatory manner, and particularly in consultation with the respective District/City administrative leadership,” Justice Byabakama said.
    He also noted that the verification exercise is part of preparatory activities for the conduct of women councils and committees’ elections (from the village to the national level) 2022, and administrative units (LC 1 and LC 2) Elections in August 2023.
    The current women councils and committees were elected during the period July – August 2018, and the Executive Committee of the National Women’s Council was constituted on 23rd – 24 August 2018.
    Citing the National Women’s Council Act, Electoral Commission chairperson stated that the terms of office of the said Councils and Committees is four (4) years, implying their term will expire in August 2022.
    The current Village/Cell (LC 1) and Parish/Ward (LC 2) Committees were elected in July 2018.
    According to the Local Government Act, the term of office of the said Executive Committees is five (5) years, implying their term will expire in July 2023.
    The above elections were conducted in a total number of 60,800 villages/cells and 8,387 parishes, but EC says the number of Administrative Units in Uganda has increased and the current statistics as per the Electoral Commission database 2022.
    Districts/Cities are 146,
    Sub Counties/Towns/Municipal Divisions are 2,211, Wards in the cities are 431 and Parishes/Wards in the districts are 10,259.
    The EC statistics also show that Villages/cells have since reached 70,512.
    Justice Byabakama also indicated said that during the conduct of those elections, the Commission observed challenges related to disputes over the legal establishment of some of the villages.
    Procedures of verification
    Justice Byabakama noted procedure for the verification and confirmation of Administrative Units exercise will be as follows:
    Stage 1: Desk Verification Exercise (EC Headquarters and District/City Offices)
    a. Request for list of administrative units from the Ministry of Local Government and the respective Districts/City Local Governments for harmonisation with the Electoral Commission database;
    b. Comparison of the submitted lists with the Electoral Commission database to confirm the legality of the administrative units, that is, creation by Statutory Instrument;
    c. Confirmation of placement of the administrative unit (village/cell) in the respective higher administrative level (parish/ward);
    d. Compiling of lists of units of variance for verification and confirmation during the field exercise;
    Stage 2: Field Verification Exercise
    a. Stakeholder mobilisation and engagement to create awareness on the purpose of the verification exercise;
    b. Recruitment and training of verification officials
    c. Preparation and production of materials for the verification exercise;
    d.Delivery of materials to districts/cities;
    e. Conduct of verification meetings at the sub county level;
    f. Retrieval of verification returns to the district and finally the Electoral Commission headquarters;
    Stage 3: Verification of Returns to produce a harmonised list of Administrative Units
    a. Compilation of verified returns
    b. Display of the verified and harmonised list at the sub county level;
    c. Receiving and hearing any objections against inclusion/omission of administrative unit(s), and determining the complaints arising out of the verification exercise;
    d. Publication of final harmonised list of administrative areas;
    e. Dissemination of the final harmonised list to stakeholders;
    The verification and confirmation of Administrative Units countrywide is, therefore, a very important exercise in preparation for the smooth organisation and conduct of the Women Councils and Committees and the Administrative Units (LC 1 and LC 2) Elections.
    The Commission, therefore, urges all stakeholders to take note of the period for the exercise, and to participate in the confirmation of the Units in accordance with the above guidelines.
    Summary Programme for the Conduct of Verification of Administrative Units, March – May 2022
    Calendar
    Field verification of Administrative Units: 17th – 26th March 2022
    Processing of verification returns: 30th March – 8th April
    Display of verified Admin Units at District and Sub County Headquarters: 11th – 20th April
    Processing of verification returns after display and production of final lists of Administrative Units: 22nd April – 4th May 2022
    Transmission of soft copy of the verified administrative units to Political Parties: 13th May 2022.
  • EC set to start verifying administrative units ahead of LC, Women councils polls

    EC set to start verifying administrative units ahead of LC, Women councils polls

    Electoral Commission (EC) is set to start verification of Administrative Units in preparation for the conduct of Women Councils and Committees elections (from the village to the national level) 2022, and Administrative Units (LC 1 and LC 2) Elections, 2023.

    This was confirmed by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon Chairperson, Electoral Commission during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters recently.

    The current Women Councils and Committees were elected during the period July – August 2018, and the Executive Committee of the National Women’s Council was constituted on 23rd – 24 August 2018.

    According to the National Women’s Council Act, the terms of office of the said Councils and Committees is four (4) years, implying their term will expire in August 2022.

    The current Village/Cell (LC 1) and Parish/Ward (LC 2) Committees were elected in July 2018.

    According to the Local Government Act, the term of office of the said Executive Committees is five (5) years, implying their term will expire in July 2023. The above elections were conducted in a total number of 60,800 villages/cells and 8,387 parishes.

    During the conduct of the above elections, the Commission observed the following challenging issues:

    1. Dispute over the legal establishment of some of the villages/cells;
    2. Dispute over the names of some of the villages/cells and parishes/wards;
    3. Dispute over the boundaries of some of the villages/cells;
    4. Dispute over the placement of some villages/cells (within particular sub counties and town councils, etc.,);  Dispute over some villages/cells that were located in areas that had been declared as natural reserves and conservation areas (for example in Bukwo District).

    In addition to the above, since 2018, the number of Administrative Units in Uganda has increased and the current statistics as per the Electoral Commission database (2022) are as follows: 146 districts/Cities, 2,211 Sub Counties/Towns/Municipal Divisions, 431 Wards in the cities, 10,259 Parishes/Wards in the districts and 70,512 Villages/cells.

    Verification and Confirmation of Administrative Units

    In view of the above, the Electoral Commission will conduct a verification exercise of all the administrative units across the country from 17th – 26th March 2022.

    The purpose of the verification exercise is to confirm that the existing administrative units have been legally created, that is, by Statutory Instrument, confirm that the above administrative units are correctly located within their respectful and rightful Sub-county/Town Council/Municipal Division and

    Parish/Ward, Confirm that all administrative units’ names as listed, that is, District, Constituency, Sub-county/Town/Municipal Division, Parish/Ward and Village/Cell) are correctly spelt and written, Identify and harmonise any variance in the database of administrative units and recommend for removal of a village/cell that may illegally appear on the list of administrative units, that is, existing without a Statutory Instrument.

    The Commission will conduct the verification/confirmation of administrative Units in a participatory manner, and particularly in consultation with the respective District/City administrative leadership who include; Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Principal Assistant Secretary/Senior Assistant Secretary/Sub County Chief, Town Clerk and District/City Planner.

    Procedure for Verification

    The procedure for the verification and confirmation of Administrative Units exercise will be as follows:

     Desk Verification Exercise (EC Headquarters and District/City Offices)

    Request for list of administrative units from the Ministry of Local Government and the respective Districts/City Local Governments for harmonisation with the Electoral Commission database;

    Comparison of the submitted lists with the Electoral Commission database to confirm the legality of the administrative units, that is, creation by Statutory Instrument;

    Confirmation of placement of the administrative unit (village/cell) in the respective higher administrative level (parish/ward);

    Compiling of lists of units of variance for verification and confirmation during the field exercise.

    Field Verification Exercise

    1. Stakeholder mobilisation and engagement to create awareness on the purpose of the verification exercise;
    2. Recruitment and training of verification officials
    3. Preparation and production of materials for the verification exercise;
    4. Delivery of materials to districts/cities;
    5. Conduct of verification meetings at the sub county level;
    6. Retrieval of verification returns to the district and finally the Electoral Commission headquarters.

    Verification of Returns to produce a harmonised list of Administrative Units

    1. Compilation of verified returns
    2. Display of the verified and harmonised list at the sub county level;
    3. Receiving and hearing any objections against inclusion/omission of administrative unit(s), and determining the complaints arising out of the verification exercise;
    4. Publication of final harmonised list of administrative areas;
    5. Dissemination of the final harmonised list to stakeholders.

    The verification and confirmation of Administrative Units countrywide is, therefore, a very important exercise in preparation for the smooth organisation and conduct of the Women Councils and Committees and the Administrative Units (LC 1 and LC 2) Elections.

    The Commission, therefore, urges all stakeholders to take note of the period for the exercise, and to participate in the confirmation of the Units in accordance with the above guidelines.

  • First Consignment of Ballot Papers for the 2020/2021 General Elections arrive in the country

    First Consignment of Ballot Papers for the 2020/2021 General Elections arrive in the country

    The chairperson  Electoral Commission Justice Byabakama Mugenyi has this evening witnessed the delivery of the first batch of elections materials, namely, ballot papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Elections of District Woman Representative to Parliament.

    This first delivery has been made by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This firm won the contract for Lot 2 of the ballot papers for the General Elections.


    This delivery comprises 116 pallets which contain ballot papers for districts falling in seven (7) electoral regions, namely Kampala, South West, Central South, Elgon, Karamoja, Norther and West Nile.

    Materials for the five (5) remaining regions is expected within the next few days, which is still within time.

    The cost for the delivered election materials is Uganda Shs. 2,536,352,880 (two billion five hundred thirty-six million three hundred fifty-two thousand eight hundred eight), out of the total consignment cost of Uganda Shillings 9,701,600,000 (nine billion seven hundred one million six hundred thousand).

    “At this point, I wish to acknowledge the fact that Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company has delivered ahead of schedule. We are indeed impressed by the timely production and delivery of the election materials,” Byabakama said.


    The 116 pallets weigh a total of forty (40) tons and have been delivered by Emirates Airlines Flight Number EK 9757 at 6pm. Our technical team has already commenced with processes to clear the cargo and deliver it to our Stores for safe storage ahead of the packing into the polling kit.

    The delivery has been observed by agents of political parties and organisations as well as the media.

    In addition to the above, the Commission has received official confirmation of completion of printing of Ballot Papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Presidential Elections 2021.

    The printer, United Printing and Publishing of Abu Dhabi has confirmed the delivery of these materials on Thursday 10th December 2020 at 13:15 hours, on Emirates Flight 9865.

    These deliveries are a positive indicator of the progress of implementation of critical and final preparations for polling for the 2021 General Elections.

    “This is indeed a sign of our readiness to deliver the elections as scheduled,” he concluded.

  • EC extends Nomination period of Candidates for Parliamentary Elections, 2021

    EC extends Nomination period of Candidates for Parliamentary Elections, 2021

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has extended period for the nomination of Parliamentary elections candidates for 2021 elections.

    The extension comes following presentations from various stakeholders including the Parliament of Uganda on the matter. The Electoral Commission has revised the programme for the nomination of candidates for Parliamentary Elections 2021, from Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th 2020, to Thursday 15th and Friday 16th October 2020.

    The nominations shall be conducted at the respective District/City headquarters across the country, beginning at 9:00am and ending at 5:00pm on each of the appointed dates.

    The Electoral Commission urges all aspiring candidates in the above electoral process to carefully note the above revised programme and to prepare for nominations in accordance with the guidelines issued for the exercise. The news confirmed by EC Public Relation Paul Bukenya confirmed the developments.

  • EC sets dates for Elections of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Councils and Committees, 2020

    EC sets dates for Elections of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Councils and Committees, 2020

    The Electoral Commission (EC) Uganda has finalized preparations for the nomination of candidates for elections of Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youth Councils and Committees at the Village/Cell level.
    The nomination of candidates for Village/Cell Committees will be conducted over a period of six (6) days that is, from Wednesday 29th July to Wednesday 5th August 2020 at the respective Sub County/Town Council/Municipal Division headquarters, starting at 9:00am and closing at 5:00pm on each day.
    Nomination forms will be available for collection from the respective Sub County/Town Council/Municipal Division offices in each district throughout Uganda from Thursday 23rd July. The forms can also be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website: www.ec.or.ug
    No nomination fee and academic qualifications shall be required for nomination of candidates for Village/Cell SIGs Committees.
    Campaigns shall be conducted from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th August 2020, and polling for the various SIGs will take place on different dates in all the 68,740 (sixty-will eight thousand seven hundred and forty) villages across Uganda.
    Polling for Village Older Persons Committees shall take place on Tuesday 11th August 2020, with a total of 1,701,518 (one million seven hundred one thousand five hundred and eighteen) willing persons registered to vote in the exercise.
    Polling for Village PWD Committees shall take place on Thursday 13th August 2020, with a total of 382,577 (three hundred eighty-two thousand five hundred and seventy-seven) willing persons registered to vote in this exercise.
    The elections of Village Youth Committees shall take place on Monday 17th August 2020, with a total of 7,846,373 (seven million eight hundred forty-six thousand three hundred and seventy-three) willing youths registered to vote in this exercise.
    The elections shall be conducted by voters (members of the respective electoral colleges) lining behind candidates’ portraits or candidates’ symbols or candidates’ agents or the individual candidates of their choice.
    All persons participating in the elections shall be required to comply with guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the Government of Uganda and Ministry of Health measures against the spread of COVID-19. This includes observing social distancing, hand cleaning, and wearing of masks.