Presidential Ballots Arrive Under Heavy Security as Uganda Enters Final Countdown to 2026 Polls

Uganda’s preparations for the 2026 general elections took a significant step forward with the arrival of the first consignment of presidential ballot papers, flown into the country under heavy security from Dubai.

The high-security cargo, comprising 193 pallets of presidential ballots, was officially received on the tarmac by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, his deputy Aisha Lubega, and Senior staff of the underscoring the importance the commission attaches to the integrity and timeliness of the electoral process.

Speaking during the reception, Justice Byabakama described the delivery as a turning point in the election roadmap, signalling a shift from campaign activities to the practical realities of polling-day logistics. He revealed that the commission is operating under a tightly sequenced logistical schedule, with a second consignment—parliamentary ballot papers—expected to arrive on Christmas Day, December 25.

This timeline is critical as the country counts down to the nationwide polls slated for January 14, 2026, when Ugandans will vote for the President and Members of Parliament. Local government elections are scheduled to follow in February.

"We are moving these materials immediately to our designated warehouses,” Justice Byabakama said, adding that the ballots will be stored under strict security arrangements. He emphasized that safeguarding the materials from the point of arrival through to polling day remains a top priority for the commission.

Addressing public concerns about the volume of ballot papers printed, the EC Chairperson clarified that the number exceeds the 21.4 million citizens currently on the national voters’ register by design. The surplus, he explained, is a legal requirement intended to ensure a smooth voting process.

By printing additional ballots, the commission aims to eliminate the risk of voters being turned away because of simple clerical or manual errors, thereby protecting the right of all registered Ugandans to participate in the democratic process.

With the presidential ballots now safely on Ugandan soil, attention turns to the enormous logistical operation ahead. The Electoral Commission must distribute the materials to tens of thousands of polling stations across the country, ensuring timely delivery, proper documentation, and secure storage at every stage.

Observers say the early arrival of the ballot papers is a positive signal and a key confidence-building measure, particularly in a political environment where election preparedness is closely scrutinized by political actors, civil society, and international partners.

As the expected Christmas Day shipment of parliamentary ballots arrives, the commission will move into the final phase of verification, packaging, and regional dispatch of voting kits. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether every district is fully prepared ahead of the mid-January deadline.

For now, the arrival of the first consignment marks a major milestone in Uganda’s 2026 electoral journey, reinforcing the Electoral Commission’s message that it is on course to deliver a timely, orderly, and credible election.