Electoral Commission Conducts Regional Stakeholder Workshops Ahead of National Voters' Register Update
As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission’s efforts to engage stakeholders through regional workshops are a testament to its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. With the general update of the National Voters' Register scheduled to begin on 20th January 2025, these workshops serve as a critical step in fostering inclusivity, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration. The EC encourages all stakeholders to join hands in making this exercise a success, ensuring that every eligible citizen is registered and ready to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the much-anticipated general update of the National Voters' Register will officially commence on 20th January 2025 and run until 10th February 2025. This exercise is a crucial step in preparing Uganda for the upcoming general elections, ensuring that the country maintains a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.
In preparation for this exercise, the Electoral Commission has embarked on an extensive campaign to engage key stakeholders through regional stakeholder workshops, which began today, 10th January 2025. These workshops, taking place across the 12 regions of Uganda's electoral map, are being spearheaded by EC Commissioners and Senior Management Staff.
The primary goal of these workshops is to ensure that the Electoral Commission’s processes are inclusive and participatory, reflecting the input of diverse stakeholders. According to Julius Mucunguzi, the Head of Public Relations and Spokesperson of the Electoral Commission, stakeholder engagement is the cornerstone of a credible and transparent election. This engagement allows stakeholders to share their ideas, opinions, concerns, and recommendations, thereby contributing to a seamless and impactful voter registration update process.
Mucunguzi emphasized that a clean and credible National Voters' Register is fundamental to the success of any election. He noted that without being registered, citizens cannot vote, stand as candidates, act as agents, or file petitions. The National Voters' Register serves as the primary reference document for all electoral matters, making its credibility a bedrock for free and fair elections.
The workshops are being conducted in various regions by senior EC officials to ensure effective engagement:
Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, is leading discussions in the Elgon Region, with consultations taking place in Mbale. Hajjat Aisha Lubega, Deputy Chairperson, is overseeing the workshop in Soroti.
Other Commissioners are presiding over similar workshops in different regions as outlined in the Electoral Commission’s roadmap.
The workshops are focused on several key themes, including:
Stakeholders have been urged to actively engage in the process, as their participation will shape a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
Stakeholder Responsibilities: All invited participants, including political parties, civil society organizations, religious leaders, local governments, and other interest groups, are encouraged to contribute to the discussions and support the exercise.
Awareness and Education: Participants are being sensitized on the significance of the National Voters' Register and the critical role it plays in determining voter eligibility and resolving electoral disputes.
Mucunguzi emphasized, “This particular exercise of the general update of the National Voters' Register is very critical because, without being on the National Voters' Register, one cannot vote, cannot be a candidate, cannot be an agent, or bring a petition.”
The workshops aim to create an electoral process that is inclusive, participatory, and transparent. By engaging stakeholders at the grassroots level, the EC hopes to garner support and build trust in the electoral process. According to Mucunguzi, “A credible and clean National Voters' Register is the foundation and bedrock of a credible election.”
The workshops also provide an opportunity for the EC to address concerns, clarify procedures, and align stakeholder expectations with the goals of the upcoming voter registration exercise.
The Electoral Commission has called on all invited stakeholders to participate actively in the workshops. Their contributions are vital to ensuring that Uganda’s electoral process remains inclusive and transparent. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission’s efforts to engage stakeholders through regional workshops are a testament to its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. With the general update of the National Voters' Register scheduled to begin on 20th January 2025, these workshops serve as a critical step in fostering inclusivity, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration.
The EC encourages all stakeholders to join hands in making this exercise a success, ensuring that every eligible citizen is registered and ready to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
