Kampala, Mbarara Stakeholder Meetings Focus on Lessons from General Elections and LC1 Readiness

The Electoral Commission (EC) has stepped up preparations for the forthcoming Local Council One (LC1) Chairperson elections by convening political parties, security agencies, local government officials and election administrators to review lessons from the 2025/2026 General Elections and strengthen plans for the village polls scheduled for July 28, 2026.

The consultative meeting brought together representatives from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service, and district election administrators from Kampala and neighbouring districts.

Speaking during the meeting, Kampala Regional Election Administrator Jennifer Kyobutungi said the consultations are aimed at gathering feedback from key stakeholders on challenges encountered during the recent General Election and identifying measures to improve the conduct of the upcoming LC1 elections.

She said the Electoral Commission remains committed to strengthening coordination among all election stakeholders, improving electoral processes and ensuring that the village polls are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner.

"The lessons we have drawn from previous elections will enable the Commission to address operational gaps and improve the overall management of the electoral process," Kyobutungi said.

She emphasized that stakeholder engagement remains a critical component of election planning and that constructive feedback from political parties, security agencies and election administrators will help the Commission deliver better-organized and more inclusive elections.

The National Resistance Movement representative, Godfrey Kiwanda, urged the Electoral Commission to intensify voter education campaigns across the country, noting that many election-related disputes arise from limited public understanding of electoral procedures.

He said increased voter awareness would encourage greater participation, improve voter turnout and reduce misunderstandings that often emerge during electoral exercises. 

"Many of the conflicts we witness during elections are a result of inadequate information among voters. Comprehensive civic education is essential if we are to have peaceful and credible elections," Kiwanda said.

Representatives from other political parties also submitted recommendations, calling upon the Electoral Commission to maintain transparency, fairness and effective coordination throughout the electoral period in order to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

Security preparedness also featured prominently during the discussions.

The Resident City Commissioner for Kawempe Division, Luka Kagenyi, assured stakeholders that security agencies are fully prepared to maintain peace and order before, during and after the elections.

He appealed to political leaders, candidates, voters and all other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and the Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

"We are committed to guaranteeing a secure environment that allows every eligible voter to participate freely and peacefully in the electoral process," Kagenyi said.

The Electoral Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with political parties, security agencies and community leaders, noting that collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to delivering peaceful, transparent and credible LC1 Chairperson elections across the country on July 28, 2026.

Mbarara Workshop Evaluates General Election Performance

Meanwhile, stakeholders from districts across Southwestern Uganda are gathered at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City for a Regional Post-Election Evaluation Workshop aimed at assessing the conduct of Uganda's 2025/2026 General Elections.

The participants include political leaders, security officials, representatives of community-based organizations (CBOs), district women leaders and leaders representing persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The workshop forms part of an independent assessment commissioned by the Electoral Commission and is being conducted by Adroit Consult International.

The evaluation exercise seeks to gather views and experiences from various stakeholders regarding the strengths, challenges and lessons arising from the recently concluded General Elections.

Participants are expected to provide recommendations on improving future electoral processes, enhancing inclusivity, strengthening election management and increasing public trust in Uganda's democratic institutions.

The findings from the regional consultations are expected to contribute to a comprehensive national report that will guide future electoral reforms and inform the Electoral Commission's preparations for subsequent elections, including the upcoming LC1 Chairperson polls.

The twin engagements in Kampala and Mbarara underscore the Electoral Commission's efforts to strengthen electoral governance, improve stakeholder participation and ensure that future elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and credible environment.

With less than two weeks remaining before Ugandans head to the polls to elect their village leaders, election officials and stakeholders say continued collaboration, voter education and effective security coordination will be critical in delivering successful LC1 Chairperson elections across the country.