By Mulengera Reporters
The Electoral Commission of Uganda has officially confirmed that the National Voters’ Register (NVR) is ready for the upcoming 2026 General Elections. The register, which contains the names and photographs of 21,681,491 registered voters, is organized across 50,739 polling stations nationwide. This marks a major step in ensuring that the elections are transparent, credible, and properly managed.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the release of the register demonstrates that the Commission is fully prepared for the elections. He explained that the photo-bearing register would be the only official document used for voting and that any voter whose details and photograph appeared on the register would be allowed to vote at their assigned polling station, even if they did not have a National Identity Card.
The Commission has already issued soft copies of the register to presidential candidates in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Commission Act. Hard copies of the photo-bearing register will also be provided to each presidential candidate, while **constituency voter registers will be made available to other political parties and candidates who apply and pay the prescribed fees. This ensures that candidates can properly verify and mobilize eligible voters in their areas.
In addition to finalizing the register, the Electoral Commission reported that it has made significant progress in logistical preparations for the elections. Packing of generic election materials, including pens, indelible ink markers, forms, and tamper-proof envelopes, has been completed. Distribution of transparent ballot boxes, solar lamps, and other equipment to districts and cities has already begun, while the packing of ballot papers and polling-station-specific voter registers is ongoing.
While confirming the readiness of the register, the Commission also issued a warning to the public about a fraudulent website claiming to provide voter registration details. The website, [www.registry.ugtally.com] (http://www.registry.ugtally.com), is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission and could provide false information or misuse personal data.
The Commission advised voters to rely only on official Electoral Commission platforms to check their voter information and ensure accuracy, and stated that it had formally engaged the Uganda Communications Commission to address the matter.
Chairperson Byabakama assured Ugandans that the Electoral Commission remained committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Uganda. He also urged candidates, political parties, and voters to maintain peace and tolerance before, during, and after the elections, noting that peaceful conduct was essential for the credibility of the elections and for national stability.
With the National Voters’ Register now ready and election preparations well underway, the country is entering the final phase of the campaign period, and candidates are encouraged to reach out to registered voters to ensure full participation. The Electoral Commission reiterated that the mandate to manage the voter register lies solely with them and that unauthorized access or misuse of voter data is illegal and punishable by law.
The readiness of the register, along with the ongoing distribution of election materials, demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the 2026 General Elections in Uganda are conducted smoothly, fairly, and transparently, giving voters confidence in the democratic process. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
