By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda is set to begin elections for Special Interest Group (SIG) Committees this week, starting at the village level. These elections are a critical part of the 2025/2026 General Elections roadmap, and they serve an important purpose, ensuring that the Youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Older Persons are fully represented in the country’s leadership and development structures.
The SIGs election process aims to establish committees at every level (from the village up to the national level) which will later form the electoral colleges that vote for SIG representatives in both Parliament and Local Government Councils.
These committees also serve as platforms for their members to engage with government programmes, raise concerns, and contribute to planning and service delivery in their areas.
Each SIG committee performs multiple functions. They coordinate activities that directly affect their group, monitor how government initiatives are being implemented, and report issues such as exclusion, poor service delivery, or emerging needs to the relevant authorities. Their presence ensures that no group is left behind when it comes to national development and decision-making.
The elections begin with the nomination of candidates for the Village SIG Committees between today, 2nd and 10th June, covering all three categories (Youth, PWDs, and Older Persons).
This will be followed by campaign meetings at the village level. Polling for Village Youth Committees will take place on 12th June, PWDs on 14th June, and Older Persons on 20th June.
After the village-level elections, the process will advance to the parish and ward levels. Nominations for these committees are scheduled for 26th to 27th June, followed by campaigns and polling on 2nd July for Older Persons, 4th July for PWDs, and 7th July for Youth Committees.
The sub-county and town council level elections will then follow. Nominations will be held from 9th to 10th July, while polling is set between 11th and 16th July 2025, depending on the category, followed by the municipality and city division level, where nominations will take place on 21st and 22nd July, with polling scheduled for 24th, 25th, 28th, and 29th July 2025, followed by district levels and then national.
Throughout the election period, registers for each SIG category are being compiled and updated to ensure that only eligible members participate. These registers are critical in verifying voters and ensuring transparency at every stage of the elections.
Participation in these elections is open to all eligible members of the respective groups. Youth must be between the ages of 18 and 30, while PWDs and Older Persons must meet the criteria defined in the electoral guidelines.
All eligible voters and candidates are encouraged to take part actively, as this process directly determines who will represent them in key policy and decision-making platforms.
The SIGs elections are not just an administrative formality, but we a powerful mechanism for grassroots empowerment and inclusive governance. By electing committees that understand the unique needs of each group, the government is better positioned to deliver services that respond to actual community challenges.
Eligible members are therefore advised to check their names in the SIG registers, attend campaign meetings, and turn up in large numbers on polling day. This is the time to choose representatives who can advocate effectively, follow up on issues that matter, and bridge the gap between the community and government programmes.
The Electoral Commission has made it clear that this process is part of its constitutional duty to conduct regular, free, and fair elections, and the SIG elections are no exception. Citizens are encouraged to support the process, stay informed, and take ownership of their democratic space. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
