Uganda enters final lap of 2026 elections as Electoral Commission sounds caution and confidence

As the clock ticked toward the close of 2025, the headquarters of Uganda’s Electoral Commission in Kampala became the stage for a moment of reflection, and resolve. Addressing the press on December 31, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi declared that the country had officially entered the final stretch of preparations for the 2026 General Elections.

It was both a year-end briefing and a national signal: the electoral machinery is largely in place, and the burden now shifts to political actors and citizens to safeguard peace and credibility.

“All activities on the roadmap up to this point, namely campaigns and preparations for polling, have been concluded,” Justice Byabakama said, offering reassurance that Uganda remains on course as the election season intensifies.

Behind the calm tone of the address lay months of logistical planning and institutional coordination. The Commission confirmed it has recruited and trained election officials at all levels, from national supervisors to polling station staff, aimed at strengthening professionalism, ethics and transparency across the electoral process.

At the same time, accreditation of both domestic and international election observers is ongoing, a move the Commission says reflects its openness to scrutiny. Most petitions arising from the nomination of candidates have also been resolved, clearing a major hurdle ahead of polling.

Yet the Chairperson’s statement was not merely about progress—it was also a warning.

With campaigns underway, the Commission noted increasing cases of misinformation, particularly around the National Voters Register. Justice Byabakama cautioned against the growing practice of circulating names, photographs and personal details of individuals alleged to be “questionable voters” on social media.

Such actions, he said, risk violating privacy and data protection laws while fueling unnecessary public anxiety. Complaints about the register, he emphasized, must be lodged directly with the Electoral Commission through its established offices.

A significant portion of the address focused on election integrity. The Commission reiterated that use of the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) during polling is now mandatory, following the signing of a statutory instrument by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The measure, officials say, is intended to ensure that only duly registered voters participate.

On logistics, the Commission confirmed receipt of key election materials, including ballot papers for the presidential race, direct-elected Members of Parliament, and district woman representatives. The arrival of these materials—printed by contracted security firms abroad—was witnessed by representatives of political parties, candidates, observers and the media.

Packing and dispatch of election materials is already underway, with transparent ballot boxes, solar lamps and other equipment being delivered to districts across the country. Polling station-specific materials, including ballot papers and voters’ registers, are now being prepared for final deployment.

One of the strongest warnings in the statement concerned an unauthorised website—www.registry.ugtally.com—which the Commission says is falsely being promoted as a platform for checking voter registration details. Justice Byabakama stressed that the site is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission and may expose users to misinformation or data misuse.

“The mandate to compile, maintain and update the National Voters Register lies exclusively with the Electoral Commission,” he said, urging the public to rely only on official platforms.

In a move aimed at enhancing transparency, the Commission also announced it will issue hard copies of the photo-bearing National Voters Register to all presidential candidates. The register contains details of more than 21.6 million voters across over 50,000 polling stations nationwide and will form the definitive basis for voting—regardless of whether a voter presents a national ID card.

As Uganda steps into 2026, the Commission’s message was clear: the systems are ready, but the credibility of the elections will ultimately depend on restraint, responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

“Peaceful conduct before, during and after polling is essential for credible elections and national stability,” Justice Byabakama said, extending New Year wishes alongside a call for national unity.

With the campaign season entering its most intense phase, Uganda now stands at a familiar crossroads—where preparation meets politics, and institutions meet the will of the people.