Why Electoral Commission has postponed key elections for Non-Unionized Workers
According to a notice issued by the EC Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the rescheduling was done in consultation with the Minister responsible for Workers, "to allow for the conclusion of the necessary preparations."
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the postponement of the highly anticipated elections for delegates of non-unionized workers at the Sub-County/Division and Town Council level. Originally slated for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, these crucial conferences will now take place on Monday, August 18th, 2025.
According to a notice issued by the EC Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the rescheduling was done in consultation with the Minister responsible for Workers, “to allow for the conclusion of the necessary preparations.”
These elections are vital steps in the process of electing Members of Parliament who represent workers at the national level. Section 15 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177, mandates that the Minister responsible for Workers register all non-unionized workers and convene conferences, while the Electoral Commission organizes and manages the elections.
A non-unionized worker is defined by law as an individual who performs services for remuneration, possesses a valid employment identity card, but is not a member of a labour union.
The revised schedule for the multi-tiered delegate conferences is as follows:
- Sub-County Delegates Conference: Monday, August 18th, 2025, at each Sub-County/City Division/Municipal Division Headquarters. Each conference will elect ten (10) delegates, with at least three (3) being women, to the City/District Delegates Conference.
- City/District Non-Unionized Workers’ Delegates’ Conference: Friday, August 22nd, 2025, at each City/District Headquarters. This conference will elect ten (10) delegates, including a minimum of three (3) women, to the Regional Non-unionized Workers Delegates’ Conference.
- Regional Conferences: Monday, August 25th, 2025, held in the four traditional regions of Uganda (Northern, Eastern, Central, and Western). Each regional conference will elect ten (10) delegates. These forty (40) delegates will then join their unionized counterparts to form the Electoral College responsible for electing Members of Parliament Representing Workers at the national level.
The election of Workers’ Members of Parliament will take place on dates to be appointed by the Electoral Commission between January 12th and February 9th, 2026.
To participate in these delegates’ conferences, individuals must meet the following criteria: Be a Ugandan citizen aged 18 years and above; Be a registered voter; Be a worker who performs services for remuneration, with a valid employment identity card; Must not be a member of a labour union.
Justice Byabakama urged all eligible non-unionized workers to “turn up in big numbers and exercise their constitutional right to elect their leaders at the above elective levels.”
All Regional Election Officers, Returning Officers, and Community Development Officers have been directed to ensure this information is widely disseminated to all concerned parties.
