By Ben Musanje
As Uganda moves closer to polling day, Ushahidi Foundation Uganda (UFU), a civil society organization focused on promoting electoral integrity and democratic governance, has commenced intensive training of election observers who will be deployed across selected districts countrywide to monitor the voting process.
The training, held at Cardinal Nsubuga Conference Centre in Nsambya, brought together observers accredited by the Electoral Commission to oversee polling activities in areas the organization has identified as electoral hotspots. The initiative is part of Ushahidi’s broader effort to promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking during the training, UFU Executive Director Farida Lule emphasized the importance of equipping observers with the necessary technical knowledge before deployment.
“We are training observers to be deployed countrywide, but we have specific districts that we have identified,” Lule said. “These include Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Sembabule, and Isingiro. These are areas we have analyzed and identified as hotspots.”
Lule explained that observer training is essential to prevent ethical lapses and procedural errors that could undermine the credibility of election observation.
“If we just send observers into the field without training, they may make mistakes or compromise the ethics of observation,” she noted. “That is why we have brought in technical experts to guide them on what observation entails, what they should do, and what they should not do.”
She further highlighted the importance of preparing observers to interact professionally with security personnel who will be present at all polling stations.
“Security will be at each and every polling station in this country. Observers must know how to present themselves to security officials and how to operate within the law,” Lule said.
To ensure accuracy and compliance with electoral procedures, the training included sessions facilitated by officials from the Electoral Commission (EC), who provided detailed guidance on polling procedures, voter identification, use of Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), and the overall polling process.
“When observers understand the polling process, they are able to fill observation forms correctly and identify gaps,” Lule explained. “Not only negative gaps, but also positive areas where the Electoral Commission has performed well.”
According to Ushahidi, a total of 30 observers will be deployed on polling day. Of these, 25 will be stationed at specific polling stations, while five will operate as roving observers, particularly within Kampala, moving between multiple polling stations to capture a broader and more representative picture of the voting process.
“We want to cover a percentage that is representative enough for the rest of the city,” Lule said.
The organization’s observation will span the entire electoral cycle on polling day, beginning with the opening of polling stations at 7:00 a.m.
“We are starting from the opening of polling,” Lule explained. “At opening time, voting should begin at 7 a.m. with all polling materials, BVVK machines, presiding officers, polling officials, security personnel, and agents present. We will observe whether the law is followed.”
Observers will also assess voter turnout and participation throughout the day.
“We will look at how people are responding — are they coming out to vote or staying home?” she said. “And if they are staying home, what could be the problem?”
The observation will continue through vote counting at polling stations and later extend to tallying. Lule confirmed that she has been accredited by the Electoral Commission to access the tallying center, a privilege granted to only a limited number of observers.
Following the elections, Ushahidi Foundation will compile its findings into a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Electoral Commission.
“The information collected will inform our final report, which we shall present to the Electoral Commission after the election,” Lule said. “Yes, Ugandans should expect our report.”
Addressing the trainees, Jacinta Kasozi, an Election Officer in the Voter Education and Training Department at the Electoral Commission, reaffirmed that the electoral process is governed strictly by the law and outlined the legal framework for election observation.
“According to the Electoral Commission Act, the Commission may accredit any individual, group, or institution to act as election observers during an election period,” Kasozi said. “Ushahidi Foundation applied, went through the verification process, and was duly accredited to undertake this national activity.”
Kasozi also announced that campaigns for presidential and parliamentary candidates officially close 48 hours before polling day, in line with electoral regulations.
“By 6:00 p.m. today, campaigns for the president and members of parliament will be closed because polling is scheduled for the 15th,” she said. “Campaigns must stop two days before the election.”
She described election observation as the climax of the entire electoral roadmap and stressed its significance in evaluating the credibility of elections.
“Observers are accredited to evaluate whether the electoral process is free and fair and to make recommendations for reform and improvement,” Kasozi said. “Your reports can inform future general elections, by-elections, and even amendments to the law.”
Kasozi further noted that observers undergo rigorous vetting, including security background checks, before accreditation is granted.
“You are vetted as individuals, and the organization is also vetted,” she said. “This process ensures that observers are capable of doing justice to the process and to the country.”
The Electoral Commission also commended Ushahidi Foundation for supporting voter education efforts using its own resources, acknowledging the role of civil society in supplementing government initiatives.
“Uganda does not have enough resources to do everything alone,” Kasozi said. “Organizations like Ushahidi, GEOM, and others have patriotically stepped in to provide voter education, and we are grateful.”
She urged observers and civil society organizations to continue encouraging voter participation, particularly in local government elections, where turnout has historically been low compared to presidential elections.
“When it comes to local leadership, resource allocation, accountability, and service delivery, participation is low, yet these leaders affect people’s daily lives,” Kasozi said.
The Commission concluded by congratulating Ushahidi’s observers and appealing to them to carry out their duties diligently and impartially.
As Uganda approaches polling day, the training underscores the critical role of election observation in strengthening democratic governance, enhancing transparency, and fostering public trust in the electoral process.
