EC Provides Polling Update as Village Women Committee Elections Take Place Nationwide

The Electoral Commission (EC) has urged all women who registered as voters in their respective villages to turn up and participate in the Village Women Committee elections being held across the country today, Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The elections are taking place simultaneously in all 71,214 villages across Uganda, with voters electing members of their respective Village Women Committees through the lining-up voting system.

Speaking to the media at Mutungo Central Village in Mutungo Ward, Ndejje Division, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said the commission's officials were on the ground conducting voter education ahead of the exercise.

Mucunguzi explained that voter education is intended to guide voters on the procedures and processes of the elections, as well as the rules, regulations, dos and don'ts that must be observed during the exercise. 

"What is happening here right now is that the staff of the Electoral Commission are conducting voter education to explain to the voters that have come about the procedures and processes and regulations, the do's and don'ts that must be followed during this election," Mucunguzi said.

The Village Women Committee elections are being conducted to fill key leadership positions at the grassroots level, including Village Woman Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, Publicity Secretary and Secretary for Finance.

According to Mucunguzi, 656 women are registered as voters at Mutungo Central Village and are eligible to participate in the elections. He clarified that participation in the elections is restricted to women whose names appear on the Village Women Voters Register for the particular village where they are registered.

"The elections today of the women committees are for electing the village woman chairperson, vice chairperson, general secretary, publicity secretary and secretary for finance," he said.

Mucunguzi further explained that the candidates who were nominated to contest for the various positions were drawn from women who had registered as voters in the respective villages, while voting is being conducted among those appearing on the relevant village women voters' registers.

The Electoral Commission spokesperson called upon all eligible women across the country to participate in the elections and exercise their right to choose leaders for their Village Women Committees.

The commission also appealed to voters to maintain peace and order throughout the polling exercise and adhere to the guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission and the laws governing elections in Uganda.

Mucunguzi urged women voters to conduct themselves peacefully and ensure that the elections are completed without incidents.

"The Electoral Commission appeals to all women who were registered as voters in your various villages to turn up today and elect your women committees. Keep peace, follow the guidelines of the Electoral Commission, follow the laws that guide elections, observe law and order, and ensure that you are able to elect your committees in peace," he said. 

The Village Women Committee elections form part of the wider grassroots electoral process being conducted across the country. The exercise is expected to strengthen women's participation in leadership and governance at the lowest level of administration.

With polling taking place simultaneously in 71,214 villages, the Electoral Commission has emphasised the importance of eligible voters turning up at their respective polling locations, following the prescribed procedures and ensuring a peaceful electoral process.