The Presser

On 18th February 2022, the Electoral Commission issued a Roadmap detailing the various activities to be conducted under the programme for elections of Women Councils and Committees from the Village to the National Level.

To-date the Electoral Commission has finalised the compilation of the Village Women Residents’ Register and is currently conducting the Display of the said Registers at each Village/Cell across the country in preparation for subsequent activities, namely, nomination of candidates and polling at the Village level.

However, the Ministry of Finance has informed the Commission that the funds required for conducting the subsequent activities under the electoral Roadmap are not yet available.

Accordingly, the Commission informs the general public, Political Party leaders and women in particular, that the remaining programme for the elections of Village Women Councils and Committees, shall not be implemented as earlier scheduled.

Consequently, all the remaining activities under the approved programme for conduct of the Women Councils and Committees Elections, starting with the nominations of candidates, which were earlier scheduled for Monday 27th June – 1st July 2022, have been suspended.

The Commission will issue a new programme for the above electoral activities when the required additional funds are availed. The Commission appeals to Political Parties and Organisations, aspiring candidates and their supporters, and all other stakeholders in these elections, to remain calm as the matter of the additional funding requirements is being handled by the relevant organs of Government.

Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon

 Chairperson, Electoral Commission

Furthering the process, the Commission on Thursday this week also launched an exercise for the general update of the National Voters Register for 2019 which will run from 21^st November to 11^th December 2019 countrywide.

Announcing the commencement  of the exercise  at the Electoral Commission  head office in Kampala , Justice Simon  Byabakama, the Commission Chair, said the general  update of the National Voters Register will be conducted  at update stations for each parish throughout the country starting  from 8:00 am  to 6:00pm on each of the selected dates, weekends inclusive.

During the general Update exercise, the Electoral Commission will register eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters. “The update exercise will be a self-reporting exercise in which a person intending to register will turn up in person at the update center in order to provide his/her personal details, photograph, signatures and finger prints,” Justice Byabakama said.

He warned Ugandans who have already registered as voters anywhere in Uganda not to do so again. However, during the update exercise, registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations will be able to apply   for such transfers and they must present confirmation that they originate from or are, at the time of application for transfer. Such applicants should ensure they have details of their previous voting location. According to the Electoral Commission guidelines, any person who wishes to apply for transfer is free to go to any registration center.

Confirmation of Registration Particulars

The update exercise will enable registered voters to confirm accuracy of their particulars on the register at the voting locations which they indicated during registration. During the exercise, voters will not be able to make changes to their age / date of birth, or include new additional names.

Update on Implementation of the Roadmap for 2020/21 General Elections:

Among  the  activities  which were conducted  during  the  implementation of the roadmap for 2020/21 general  elections included recruitment of temporary staff at the sub-counties and parish levels during the period of July- August  2019 to supervise electoral activities countrywide and also the verification of voter registers.

Justice Byabakama  wants  all stakeholders  in the electoral process  to support  the general  update exercise and other roadmap  activities through  enthusiastic  participation  and in accordance  with the guidelines which will be issued  for each activity.