By Mulengera Reporters
The Electoral Commission (EC) is stepping up preparations for the 2025/2026 General Elections with the procurement of 109,142 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK), aimed at making voting safer, more secure, and fraud-proof.
According to EC spokesperson Byabakama, 60,000 kits have already been delivered, while the remaining 49,142 are expected by the end of November 2025.
The BVVK machines use fingerprints and facial recognition to verify voters’ identities, helping ensure that only registered voters can cast their ballots and that no one votes more than once, upholding the One-Man/Woman-One Vote principle.
The BVVK system has been used in previous elections, first in 2016, then improved in 2021, and now further upgraded for the 2026 elections.
The machines are set to be deployed to all 50,739 polling stations across the country.
To operate the kits, the Commission is recruiting 50,739 operators and 1,050 trainers.
Byabakama highlighted that some candidates are causing disruptions during campaigns, holding processions that violate traffic rules, block trade, or provoke confrontations with law enforcement.
There have also been reports of candidates stopping impromptu in public places, using defamatory language, inciting disorder, or tearing down opponents’ posters and banners**.
The Electoral Commission has condemned acts of violence, hooliganism, and intolerance, while appealing to candidates, supporters, and the public to follow the law and maintain peace during campaigns.
To manage disputes, the EC has established mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints and has already held two meetings with presidential candidates’ agents and security officials to address emerging issues.
With the new BVVK machines, trained operators, and stricter campaign monitoring, Uganda is moving toward an election that promises transparency, credibility, and fairness, while the nation watches closely for a peaceful and orderly voting process.
