By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: The Electoral Commission has declared Thursday, 23rd July 2026, as polling day for Village Women Committee elections and Tuesday, 28th July 2026, for Village LC I Chairperson elections, as it concluded preparations for the nationwide Administrative Units polls.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon said the Commission has completed key preparatory activities since launching the electoral programme on 22nd June 2026.
Voter registration and display
According to the Commission, compilation of the Village Council General Register and the Village Women’s Council Register was conducted from 6th to 10th July 2026 in all 71,214 villages across the country.
The display of both registers followed on 13th–14th July 2026. Byabakama noted the exercise enabled residents to verify details such as names, National ID number or Application ID number, age, gender, and village of residence, and to report ineligible persons for removal.
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to residents in our respective villages across the country, and our various stakeholders who mobilized them, for your active participation and valuable contribution to the exercise of compiling the Village Registers,” he said.
“Your commitment, cooperation, and timely support were instrumental in the successful completion of this important activity.”
Nominations and complaints
Nomination of candidates for LC I Chairpersons and members of Village Women Committees was held from 15th to 19th July 2026 at Sub County, Town and Municipal Division headquarters.
The Commission said it has received complaints arising from both the register compilation and nomination exercises. Some register-related complaints were handled by Parish Complaints Committees, while others have been referred to the Commission for hearing.
“The Commission will commence hearing the said complaints today, Wednesday 22nd July 2026, and will inform the stakeholders of the respective decisions and appropriate lawful actions taken,” Byabakama stated.
“We appeal for patience from the public and all stakeholders as it commences to hear and determine the various complaints.”
Women Council elections
Campaigns for Village Women Committees ran from 20th to 22nd July 2026. Each committee will comprise five members: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, and Secretary for Finance.
Voting will be by lining behind candidates, their representatives, or their portraits and symbols, in accordance with Section 111(2) of the Local Governments Act Cap 243.
The EC urged registered women to turn out. “By taking part in these grass-root elections, you help strengthen democracy, promote inclusive leadership, and contribute to the development of our communities,” Byabakama said.
“We, therefore, urge the eligible women to actively participate and elect leaders who will represent your interests and champion issues affecting women in our communities.”
For clarity, the Commission emphasized that those elected to Women Committees will not be eligible to contest for LC I Chairperson.
LC I Chairperson Elections
Campaigns for LC I Chairperson began on 20th July and will run for eight days until 27th July 2026. Rallies are restricted to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and must be held within the candidate’s village.
Polling for LC I Chairperson will take place on 28th July 2026 in all 71,214 villages, with each village constituting a polling station. Voting will run from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in open public places and will also follow the lining system.
The EC outlined the voting day schedule: 7:00–10:00 a.m. for assembly and verification; 10:00–11:00 a.m. for voter education; 11:00–11:30 a.m. for voting and counting; 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. for declaration using Form EC10; and 12:00–4:00 p.m. for nomination and approval of Executive Committee members using Form EC11.
The elected Chairperson will nominate seven executive members for Council approval. In addition, chairpersons of the Village Youth Council, Women Council, Council of Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities will automatically join the Executive as secretaries for their respective interest groups.
Health and compliance
Byabakama reminded political parties and stakeholders to study the electoral guidelines and conduct internal processes such as selection of flag bearers in time.
He further noted that the polls are taking place amid public health concerns. “Stakeholders are reminded that the elections are taking place in an Ebola environment and therefore, we are required to observe the Ministry of Health guidelines to combat the spread of the virus.”
The Commission urges all Ugandans to participate in this electoral programme and to do so in accordance with the guidelines for each activity. This will ensure a smooth electoral exercise.
