By Ben Musanje
The Electoral Commission (EC) will tomorrow, Wednesday, 30th July 2025, hold a groundbreaking ceremony to officially commence construction of its first permanent headquarters.
This historic event will take place at the EC grounds in Lweza, Lubowa, located opposite the Lweza Church of Uganda Conference Center and visible from the busy Entebbe-Kampala highway. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Since its establishment over two decades ago, the Electoral Commission has operated from rented office spaces across Kampala, a situation that has often posed logistical challenges and limited the institution’s capacity.
The decision to build a dedicated headquarters marks a significant milestone, symbolizing the Commission’s growth and maturity as a key democratic institution in Uganda.
The new complex will feature a range of modern facilities designed to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Planned infrastructure includes secure warehouses to safeguard sensitive electoral materials such as ballot papers, voting equipment, and voter registers, ensuring their protection ahead of elections.
The headquarters will also boast administrative offices equipped with the latest technology, enabling more efficient workflow and collaboration among staff.
In addition, the complex will house conference and training spaces for workshops, stakeholder meetings, and capacity-building programs essential for preparing electoral officials and observers.
A dedicated media center will further enhance transparency and communication by providing a professional space for press briefings and public outreach.
The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to attract prominent dignitaries, including the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Minister of Works and Transport, Members of Parliament, as well as the Chairperson and Members of the Electoral Commission.
Representatives from development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders involved in Uganda’s democratic processes will also be in attendance.
EC Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi noted that the Commission’s Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, is expected to emphasize the importance of this development in strengthening the Commission’s independence and enhancing its capacity to conduct credible, transparent elections.
He will likely highlight how the new headquarters will improve operational efficiency and logistical coordination—critical factors in managing increasingly complex electoral processes.
This investment aligns with the government’s broader Vision 2040 development agenda, which prioritizes the strengthening of democratic institutions and governance frameworks.
Construction is set to begin immediately following the ceremony, with the initial phase focusing on secure storage facilities and office blocks.
Upon completion, the EC headquarters is expected to become a regional benchmark for modern electoral management infrastructure.
Beyond the physical structure, this groundbreaking symbolizes a deep commitment to Uganda’s democratic future, reflecting the resolve to build resilient institutions that uphold the integrity of electoral processes and deepen public trust.
The Electoral Commission handed over its former headquarters on Plot 55, Jinja Road, Kampala, to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) in March 2023.
This followed its relocation to Plot 1-3/5, Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala—formerly the Head Office of the National Housing and Construction Company Ltd.
The new site had previously been the main office of the Government Central Purchasing Corporation (GCPC) until 1996, when it became the home of the Interim Electoral Commission (IEC), established following the successful conduct of the 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Prior to that, the IEC operated out of Ruth Towers on Plot 15A, Clement Hill Road, Nakasero. Plans to convert the new structures into modern offices and to build a permanent facility were initially made.
However, these were not realized after the Ministry of Works and Transport advised that the land would be affected by the development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project (KFCRUP). UNRA is yet to demolish the existing facilities on the site to pave the way for this major infrastructure project. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
