As Uganda steadily advances toward the 2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to organizing a credible, transparent and well-coordinated electoral process anchored in law, technology and stakeholder engagement.
The assurance comes at a time when the Commission is implementing critical activities outlined in its official electoral roadmap, many of which are already underway across the country.
The commitment was restated on Wednesday by the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Hajjat Aisha Lubega.
Hajjat Lubega was representing the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi.
She delivered the message during a stakeholder engagement meeting and a public demonstration of the Biometric Voter Verification Kits held at the Commission’s headquarters.
The engagement brought together representatives from the media, civil society and non-governmental organizations, political parties, local election observers and other key electoral stakeholders.
The purpose of the meeting was to enhance transparency and build public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2026 polls.
Addressing the gathering, Hajjat Lubega emphasized that the Commission remains fully committed to conducting elections that meet national and international standards.
She explained that the Commission is closely following the electoral roadmap to ensure that all activities are implemented on time and in accordance with the law.
During her address, Hajjat Lubega announced adjustments to polling dates for elections of Special Interest Groups at both parliamentary and local government levels.
She explained that elections for the national conference of persons with disabilities representatives to Parliament have been rescheduled from 19 January 2026 to 3 February 2026.
She further stated that elections of councillors representing special interest groups, including youths, older persons and persons with disabilities, at sub-county, town and municipal division levels have been moved from 19 January 2026 to 30 January 2026.
In addition, Hajjat Lubega announced that the national conference for the election of workers’ representatives to Parliament has been shifted from 21 January 2026 to 19 January 2026.
She also revealed that the national conference for the election of national female youth representatives to Parliament has been rescheduled from 21 January 2026 to 6 February 2026.
She added that the regional conference for the election of regional youth representatives to Parliament has been moved from 6 February 2026 to 28 January 2026.
According to Hajjat Lubega, the adjustments are intended to allow members of the affected special interest groups to fully participate in the General Elections under universal adult suffrage.
She explained that the revised dates will also enable the same individuals to take part effectively in their respective electoral college elections.
She emphasized that polling dates for all other elective positions remain unchanged.
She noted that the unchanged dates were earlier communicated and officially published on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Commencement of Issuance of Voter Location Slips
Hajjat Lubega further announced that the Electoral Commission has commenced the nationwide issuance of Voter Location Slips.
She explained that the slips are intended to help voters easily identify their designated polling stations.
She said the exercise began on 15 December 2025.
She added that the issuance of the slips will run until 13 January 2026.
She explained that distribution is being conducted at parish and ward level.
She noted that the exercise is guided by schedules issued by the respective Parish or Ward Supervisors.
Hajjat Lubega said the introduction of the Voter Location Slip addresses challenges experienced in previous elections.
She explained that in earlier elections, some voters had difficulty locating their polling stations.
She stated that each Voter Location Slip contains a voter’s photograph.
She added that the slip also includes the voter’s names and date of birth.
She further explained that the slip contains detailed polling information, including the district or city, constituency, sub-county, parish and polling station.
She revealed that each slip carries a unique barcode.
She said the barcode will be read by the Biometric Voter Verification Machines deployed at all polling stations.
Hajjat Lubega explained that the Voter Location Slip will be used across four election categories during the 2026 General Elections.
She listed the categories as Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
She also cited District and City Chairpersons and Councillors.
She added Municipality and City Division Chairpersons and Councillors.
She further included Sub-county, Town and Municipal Division Chairpersons and Councillors.
Hajjat Lubega emphasized that the Voter Location Slip is issued free of charge.
She stressed that the slip must be collected in person by the voter.
She explained that the slips are issued by the Parish or Ward Supervisor, who is an employee of the Electoral Commission.
She appealed to all registered voters to collect their slips from their respective parish headquarters.
She advised voters to keep the slips safely to avoid damage or tampering with the barcode.
She clarified that only individuals whose details appear on the Polling Day Register will be issued a Voter Location Slip during the exercise.
Deployment of Biometric Voter Verification Kits
On the use of technology in the forthcoming elections, Hajjat Lubega disclosed that the Electoral Commission has acquired 109,142 Biometric Voter Verification Kits.
She said the kits will be deployed during the 2025/2026 General Elections.
She explained that the kits are intended to strengthen election management and voter verification.
She stated that the Biometric Voter Verification Kit uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology.
She explained that the technology confirms whether a voter is duly registered at a specific polling station.
She said the system is designed to ensure that only eligible voters participate in the elections.
She emphasized that the technology also prevents multiple voting in the same election.
She noted that this approach upholds the principle of one person, one vote.
Hajjat Lubega added that the Commission is currently conducting nationwide training for election officials.
She said the training covers officials at all levels, from the national headquarters to polling stations.
She concluded by reiterating the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism as Uganda prepares for the 2026 General Elections.
