By Mulengera Reporters
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has been summoned to Parliament to provide a detailed update on the ongoing voter register update exercise being conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) ahead of the 2026 general elections. Mao is expected to address the nation during Thursday afternoon’s parliamentary session.
The Electoral Commission launched the 20-day exercise on Monday, January 20, aimed at enabling voters to verify their details in the national register. The exercise also allows Ugandans who have turned 18 since 2020 to register, facilitates voters seeking to transfer polling stations, and updates the national youth register. The exercise is scheduled to run until February 10 at the parish level.
However, reports from various parts of the country indicate that the exercise only commenced on Tuesday, a day behind schedule. This delay has raised concerns, as some citizens were unable to access parish registrars on the initial day. The issue was discussed on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
Leader of the Opposition (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, expressed concern that the delayed start could negatively impact voters and political parties preparing for the 2026 elections.
“On Monday 20 January, 2025 the update of the national voter register began, but with numerous challenges. In many areas, the process did not start as scheduled, and we need clarity on why Electoral Commission officials were not present,” Ssenyonyi said.
Ssenyonyi’s comments followed a communication from Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who urged MPs to maintain decorum during the electioneering period and avoid openly campaigning against their colleagues in their constituencies.
“I request that we maintain cohesion. When you visit a colleague’s constituency, offer your support. This is an unwritten policy,” Tayebwa stated.
Ssenyonyi remained steadfast in his criticism of the EC’s handling of the voter register update. He highlighted the lack of civic education about the process, noting that many Local Council (LC) 1 chairpersons were unaware of the exercise.
“There has been inadequate public awareness about this process. Yesterday, I heard reports of LC1 chairpersons unaware of the exercise. In some areas, there’s only one computer per sub-county, and some of these are faulty. Now that the exercise started late, will the EC extend the deadline?” Ssenyonyi asked.
He also criticized the “cumbersome” process for voters seeking to transfer their registration to a different polling station, which requires a recommendation letter from either the LC1 chairperson or the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO).
In response, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi informed Parliament that the Ministry of Justice needed more time to consult with the Electoral Commission before issuing a comprehensive statement on the matter.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa announced that Parliament would hold a one-hour debate on Thursday to discuss the issue and develop recommendations for improving the exercise.
Tayebwa revealed that his office had received complaints from over six legislators about the update process, and they would be given priority during Thursday’s debate.
In some districts, EC kits were delivered late, arriving on Sunday and only being distributed to sub-county registrars on Monday. The delay caused a one-day setback in the start of the exercise. Furthermore, with only one computer allocated to most sub-counties and town councils, parish registrars have implemented a rotational schedule, moving the kits between parishes every four days. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
