By Aggrey Baba
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and for Uganda’s eligible voters, that crucial first step is registration.
With this in mind, the Electoral Commission (EC) has extended the General Update of the National Voters Register by seven days, citing high public demand and technical challenges that slowed down the process.
Initially set to close on February 10, 2025, the exercise will now continue until February 17, 2025, running daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, including weekends.
According to EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the extension aims to accommodate Ugandans who have not yet registered or need to update their details.
Since its launch on January 20, 2025, the update exercise has recorded 361,432 new voters and processed 292,021 transfer requests. However, the process has faced challenges, including a limited number of registration kits from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and frequent technical malfunctions.
Despite the setbacks, the Commission remains committed to ensuring all eligible Ugandans are included in the 2025/2026 voters’ roll.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that this is not a fresh registration but an opportunity for those who turned 18 and have not registered to do so. Additionally, registered voters who wish to transfer polling stations can make requests during this period.
As of now, Uganda’s National Voters Register stands at 19,925,574 voters, an increase from 18.1 million in the 2020/2021 elections.
The EC urged the public to seize this final extension, reminding them that voter registration is a vital step in shaping the country’s future leadership. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
