The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday 20th January 2025 commenced the general update of the National Voters’ Register across Uganda, a 21-day exercise running until February 10, in preparation for the 2025-2026 General Elections.
The activity will be conducted daily, including weekends, at designated parish centers across the country.
The exercise complies with Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176), which mandates the EC to update the National Voters’ Register.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama explained that the exercise aims to register Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above who are not yet on the voters’ register.
Additionally, registered voters wishing to transfer to new voting locations can apply for the transfer, provided they present proof of residence or origin within the parish of the new voting location.
The update will also enable voters to confirm their particulars on the register, verify their accuracy, and correct any errors.
However, the process is not proceeding smoothly in Rukungiri municipality, and the general elections in 2026 would be impacted if the issue is not resolved quickly.
Counsel Isaac Atukunda, a hopeful Member of Parliament for Rukungiri municipality, voiced his displeasure with the way the process is being conducted in his area.
Residing from Nyaruharo village, in Kyatoko ward, Eastern division Rukungiri municipality and a registered voter at Kyatoko Primary School polling station, the hopeful MP. Counsel Isaac Atukunda assured our reporter that he has learned and has access to reliable evidence that some prospective candidates and dishonest individuals are attempting to unlawfully obstruct the process of updating the general voter’s register.
Atukunda said that this is being accomplished by transferring individuals illegally from the nearby constituencies of Rubabo and Rujumbura to Rukungiri Municipality Constituency in a letter written to Rukungiri District Election Administrator via the Law Firm Credo Advocates.
According to him, these dishonest individuals also illegally register individuals who are either current or former residents of Rukungiri Municipality parishes at the time of the application for transfer, which is against the Electoral Commission Act Cap 176.
Through his lawyers, Atukunda further explained that he denounced the unlawful acquisition of letters of confirmation from individuals moving from their old polling places to Rukungiri municipality polling stations.
In this letter which was copied to the chairman electoral commission, incumbent MPs of Rujumbura, Rubabo and Rukungiri municipality, RDC, DISO and DPC Rukungiri, voters Register Update officers and LC1 chairpersons, Atukunda clarified that in this process, there is connivance with area local leaders and register update officers to illegally procure confirmation letters in addition to blatant registration of new voters without confirmation letters who are not known to be resident in Rukungiri municipality or any of its parishes.
Atukunda narrated that the above actions are in contravention of section 20 of the electoral commission Act Cap 176 which provides that a voter is entitled to register and vote in a parish where he/she originates or resides.
However, Atukunda stated that he is writing to alert authorities to step in and demand that all individuals, including local council chairpersons and voters’ register update officers, refrain from unlawfully interfering with the General Voters’ Register Update process.
Atukunda added that if this is not done, he will take all legal measures to safeguard the constitutionally guaranteed right of Rukungiri municipality residents to freely, fairly, and democratically choose their leader, as well as any other laws governing Ugandan election procedures.
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