Electoral Commission Calls on Ugandans to Turn Up in Large Numbers for Today’s LC1 Elections

The Electoral Commission has called upon Ugandans who registered as voters in their respective villages to turn up in large numbers and participate in the election of Local Council (LC1) chairpersons scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

According to Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the elections are being conducted across all 71,214 villages in the country, following the Commission's electoral programme for the election of LC1 chairpersons and the subsequent constitution and confirmation of village council committees.

Mucunguzi urged all registered voters to go to the designated voting centres within their respective villages and exercise their democratic right by participating in the election of their LC1 chairpersons.

"The day for election of LC1 chairpersons has come, and it is today, Tuesday, the 28th of July, 2026," Mucunguzi said, calling upon eligible voters to turn up in big numbers and participate in the exercise.

He explained that the election programme will begin at 7:00am and run through different stages until 4:00pm, with each stage designed to facilitate the orderly conduct of the elections and the formation of village council committees.

Voter Verification to Run from 7:00am to 10:00am

Mucunguzi said that between 7:00am and 10:00am, all registered voters in each village are expected to congregate at the designated venue where they vote.

During this period, Electoral Commission officials will verify the voters and confirm that those present are eligible voters registered on the voters' register of the respective village.

The verification exercise is intended to ensure that only eligible and duly registered voters participate in the election process.

Voter Education from 10:00am to 11:00am

From 10:00am to 11:00am, Electoral Commission staff will conduct voter education for all voters present at the designated venues.

According to Mucunguzi, voters will be guided on the laws, guidelines and procedures governing the election of LC1 chairpersons.

He urged all participants to pay attention to the instructions provided by Electoral Commission officials to ensure that the exercise is conducted smoothly and in accordance with the law.

Candidates to Line Up from 11:00am

Mucunguzi said that between 11:00am and 11:30am, candidates contesting for the LC1 chairperson positions will stand before voters, while their supporters will line up behind their preferred candidates.

Electoral Commission officials will then count the people in each line and record the results on the relevant official forms.

The lining-up exercise will serve as the method of voting for the LC1 chairperson positions, with the candidate attracting the highest number of supporters declared elected.

Village Council Committees to Be Constituted

Following the election of LC1 chairpersons, the process of constituting village council committees will take place between 12:00 noon and 4:00pm.

Mucunguzi explained that during this period, the newly elected LC1 chairperson will convene the first village council meeting and nominate members to serve on the village council committee.

The voters and members present will then confirm and approve the nominees presented by the elected LC1 chairperson.

The process is expected to pave the way for the formation of functional village councils across the country following the election of the chairpersons.

EC Appeals for Peaceful Elections

As Ugandans participate in the elections, the Electoral Commission has appealed to all candidates, voters, supporters and other participants to maintain peace and avoid any acts that could disrupt the electoral process.

Mucunguzi urged participants to refrain from violence and any form of misconduct, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the elections are conducted peacefully.

He also called upon voters to follow the guidelines issued by Electoral Commission officials at the respective voting centres and to comply with all laws governing the election of LC1 chairpersons.

"Keep peace, keep law and order, and ensure that this exercise of electing our LC1 chairpersons goes peacefully and goes in accordance with the law," Mucunguzi emphasized.

The Electoral Commission has therefore urged all eligible voters to participate actively in the exercise, follow the established procedures and respect the laws and guidelines governing the elections.

The elections mark an important stage in the restoration and strengthening of local governance structures at village level, with the elected LC1 chairpersons expected to play a key role in coordinating community affairs and supporting grassroots administration.