Uganda gears up for youth committee elections, EC urges peaceful participation
The Electoral Commission (EC) is set to conduct elections for Youth Committees at the Village/Cell level on Thursday, June 19, 2025, as part of the roadmap for the 2025-2026 General Elections.
This announcement follows the successful completion of polling for Village Older Persons Committees and Village Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Committees earlier this week.
According to Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the nomination of candidates for all three Special Interest Groups (SIGs) committees took place from June 2nd to June 10th, 2025, at Sub County/Town Council/Municipal Division headquarters. Campaigns were then held from June 12th to June 14th, 2025.
“The Commission wishes to appreciate the members of the electoral colleges for Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities for the peaceful conduct of the nominations, campaigns, and elections at the village level,” stated the Chairperson in a press release. Reports from across the country indicate that the concluded village committee elections were conducted peacefully.
Youth Committee elections will see members of the Youth Council, consisting of youths residing in the Village/Cell, elect their leaders.
The elected committee will comprise a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Secretary for Women Youth (who must be female), Secretary for Student Affairs (who must be a student), Secretary for Labour Affairs, Secretary for Sports and Culture, and a Secretary for Finance.
The EC emphasized that voters must appear on the Voters’ Registers compiled based on their respective places of residence.
EC Warns Against Parallel Security Groups
Amidst the ongoing electoral activities, the EC has addressed concerns regarding the formation of youth brigades by some candidates, purportedly to provide security for their supporters. The Commission has dismissed these claims as unfounded and irresponsible.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that it is only the Uganda Police, which is in charge of providing security during the electoral process, including Special Interest Groups elections,” stated the Chairperson.
Political parties, organizations, and independent candidates are urged to refrain from forming parallel security groups, as this violates electoral laws.
Appeal for Peaceful Participation
The Electoral Commission has appealed to the youth to participate fully, effectively, and peacefully in the upcoming elections.
The EC urged voters to follow the guidelines provided by the Electoral Commission staff, reject violence, respect one another, and refrain from using inflammatory language or spreading misinformation.
“Elections will come and go, but our country, your country, Uganda, will remain. Let us make sure that we keep the country peaceful, united, and progressing,” the Chairperson emphasized.
Guidance for Aspiring Candidates in 2025/2026 Elections
The Electoral Commission also provided guidance to aspiring candidates for the 2025/2026 General Elections regarding resignation from public office and the establishment of academic qualifications.
The Commission reiterated the requirement for aspiring candidates for President, Member of Parliament, and District Chairpersons to prove resignation from public office, if any, and completion of a minimum formal education of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent.
The EC outlined the categories of academic qualifications that must be established with the Electoral Commission at least two months before nomination day, including qualifications obtained outside Uganda and qualifications claimed to be equivalent to Advanced Level Education. The Commission emphasized that it would not accept a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit as evidence of an academic qualification.
