Securing Electoral Integrity: A Call for Reforms Ahead of Uganda's 2025/2026 General Election as Ushahidi Foundation Uganda Launch 'TOKITYA GENDA OLONDE' Campaign

Ushahidi Foundation Uganda, a newly established organization dedicated to promoting electoral integrity, has emphasized the urgency of reforms to safeguard the democratic process and restore public confidence. According to Lule Faridah, Executive Director Ushahidi Foundation, a credible voter register is the foundation of any democratic election. During the 2020/2021 General Election, the Electoral Commission (EC) reported 18,103,603 registered voters. However, questions arose about the accuracy of the register, including allegations of deceased persons, underage voters, and non-citizens being included. Lule Faridah says such discrepancies undermine the legitimacy of elections and erode public trust. To address this, Uganda must adopt a robust biometric voter registration system that integrates data from national IDs and other government databases.

Jan 20, 2025 - 10:49
Jan 20, 2025 - 11:03
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Securing Electoral Integrity: A Call for Reforms Ahead of Uganda's 2025/2026 General Election as Ushahidi Foundation Uganda Launch 'TOKITYA GENDA OLONDE' Campaign

As Uganda prepares for its sixth multiparty general election in 2025/2026, the importance of ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process cannot be overstated. The challenges faced during the 2020/2021 elections—ranging from voter register discrepancies to electoral malpractices—serve as critical lessons for all stakeholders. Ushahidi Foundation Uganda, a newly established organization dedicated to promoting electoral integrity, has emphasized the urgency of reforms to safeguard the democratic process and restore public confidence.

According to Lule Faridah, Executive Director Ushahidi Foundation, a credible voter register is the foundation of any democratic election. During the 2020/2021 General Election, the Electoral Commission (EC) reported 18,103,603 registered voters. However, questions arose about the accuracy of the register, including allegations of deceased persons, underage voters, and non-citizens being included. Lule Faridah says such discrepancies undermine the legitimacy of elections and erode public trust.

To address this, Uganda must adopt a robust biometric voter registration system that integrates data from national IDs and other government databases. This system would eliminate ineligible voters and ensure the register accurately reflects the voting population. Additionally, public access to the voter register, coupled with independent audits by civil society organizations, will enhance transparency and accountability.

Historically, marginalized groups, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs), have faced significant barriers to participating in Uganda's elections. In 2020/2021, PWDs accounted for only 1.9% of registered voters, a statistic that highlights their underrepresentation. Challenges such as inaccessible polling stations and election materials for individuals with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments further exacerbate their disenfranchisement.

To promote inclusivity, the Electoral Commission must prioritize the development of accessible polling stations equipped with ramps, Braille materials, sign language interpreters, and assistive technologies. Nationwide awareness campaigns targeted at PWDs, the elderly, and rural populations are also essential to ensure these groups are fully engaged in the electoral process.

Voter education remains a cornerstone of democratic participation. However, in 2020/2021, efforts to educate voters were insufficient, particularly in rural areas where many citizens lacked basic knowledge about the electoral process. This contributed to voter apathy and confusion on Election Day.

To combat this, Ushahidi Foundation Uganda has launched "TOKITYA GENDA OLONDE", a nationwide civic awareness campaign aimed at tackling voter disengagement.

The initiative will focus on engaging youth, social media influencers, and other groups that tend to be passive in the electoral process. Additionally, the EC should partner with media outlets, technology companies, and civil society organizations to expand voter education efforts using mobile apps, social media, and traditional platforms to provide clear, accessible information across the country.

Electoral malpractices such as bribery, vote-buying, and illegal campaigning were widespread during the 2020/2021 elections, undermining the integrity of the process. To address this, Ushahidi Foundation Uganda plans to lead a "Name and Shame" campaign, targeting individuals and political actors who breach electoral laws. By exposing wrongdoers on media platforms, including social media, the campaign aims to foster a culture of accountability.

Moreover, the EC must enforce stricter penalties for electoral misconduct and deploy independent election observers to monitor compliance with the rules. These measures will deter malpractices and promote fair competition among candidates.

Election-related violence during the 2020/2021 General Election resulted in tragic loss of life and injuries, depriving many Ugandans of their right to vote in a peaceful environment. To prevent such occurrences, all stakeholders must work together to promote peace and non-violence.

Local leaders, faith-based organizations, and youth groups should play a critical role in fostering a culture of non-violence. Security forces, meanwhile, must be trained to uphold the rule of law while respecting citizens' rights to peacefully assemble, protest, and vote. Strict guidelines should be established to prevent the use of force against peaceful voters or election observers.

The Constitution of Uganda guarantees the right to vote for all qualified citizens, including prisoners and Ugandans living in the diaspora. However, as of February 2024, Uganda's 76,812 prisoners remain disenfranchised due to the lack of mechanisms for their participation. Similarly, Ugandans abroad lack avenues to exercise their voting rights.

Legislation must be expedited to enable prisoners and diaspora citizens to register and vote. This can be achieved through mobile voting stations for prisoners and secure online voting platforms for diaspora voters, ensuring no eligible citizen is left behind.

The 2025/2026 General Election presents an opportunity to rebuild trust in Uganda's electoral system and ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in the democratic process. Achieving this requires urgent reforms in voter registration, inclusivity, voter education, and the prevention of electoral malpractices and violence.

All stakeholders—the Electoral Commission, political parties, security forces, civil society organizations, and voters—must take collective responsibility for building a transparent, credible, and inclusive election.

By addressing these challenges and implementing the necessary reforms, Uganda can secure a future where every vote counts, and democracy thrives. Let us act now to ensure that the 2025/2026 General Election becomes a milestone in Uganda's democratic journey.

John Kusolo John Kusolo is a Ugandan Journalist, Sport fanatic, Tourist, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. * Journalist: He works for Nile Chronicles News, NCN. * Passion: Known for his dedication to his work and strong motivation. * Ambitious: He sets goals for himself and strives to achieve them. * Enjoys challenges: He thrives in challenging situations.