Electoral Commission announces final preparations for 2026 LC I, LC II and women council elections
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the Commission had successfully completed key activities, including verification of residents, compilation and display of voter registers, and nomination of candidates.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that preparations for the 2026 Village (LC I), Parish (LC II) and Women Councils and Committees elections have entered the final stages, with voting for Village Women Committees scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2026, and LC I Chairpersons set to be elected on July 28.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the Commission had successfully completed key activities, including verification of residents, compilation and display of voter registers, and nomination of candidates.
The electoral programme was launched on June 22, 2026, covering 71,214 villages across the country.
According to Justice Byabakama, the Commission conducted the compilation of the Village Council Register and Village Women’s Council Register between July 6 and July 10, 2026. The registers were later displayed from July 13 to 14 to allow residents to verify their details and raise concerns.
“The display exercise enabled registered residents to check and confirm the correctness of their particulars, including names, National Identification Number or Application ID Number, age, gender and village of residence,” Byabakama said.
The nomination of candidates for Village LC I Chairpersons and Village Women Committees took place from July 15 to 19 at sub-county, town and municipal division headquarters countrywide.
The EC said complaints arising from the registration and nomination exercises are being handled, with hearings commencing on Wednesday, July 22. The Commission said some register-related complaints were addressed by Parish Complaints Committees, while others have been referred to the EC for determination.
Campaigns for Village Women Committees began on July 20 and will end on July 22, ahead of polling on Thursday, July 23. Women will elect five committee members, including the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary and Secretary for Finance.
Voting for Village Women Committees will be conducted through lining behind candidates, their representatives, portraits or symbols in public places within villages.
Meanwhile, campaigns for LC I Chairperson positions will continue until July 27, with candidates required to conduct campaigns only within their respective villages between 7:00am and 6:00pm.
Polling for LC I Chairpersons will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in all 71,214 villages. Voting will begin at 7:00am and close at 4:00pm.
The EC said the voting process will include voter verification, voter education, lining up behind candidates, counting of votes and declaration of winners. After election of LC I Chairpersons, village executive committee members will be nominated and approved by village councils.
Justice Byabakama urged candidates, political parties, organisations and voters to follow electoral laws and guidelines to ensure a peaceful and credible process.
He also reminded stakeholders that the elections are being conducted during an Ebola environment and called for adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease.
“The Commission urges all Ugandans to participate in this electoral programme and to do so in accordance with the guidelines for each activity,” Byabakama said.
