Ahead of the 2025/2026 elections, Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) is taking strides to ensure persons with disabilities (PWDs) can fully participate in the electoral process.
Traditionally hindered by barriers, disabled voters often face significant challenges, but the EC is working to dismantle these obstacles in a bid for more inclusive elections.
According to the amended 1995 Electoral Commission Act, the electoral process must be inclusive and conducted under conditions of freedom and fairness.
However, past elections have fallen short of this goal, underscoring the need for reform.
In response, the EC has initiated a countrywide mapping exercise aimed at identifying and categorizing disabled individuals to better understand the specific challenges they encounter at the polls.
The mapping process will begin on Monday, November 4th, and run until November 13th, 2024.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi emphasized the importance of the initiative, explaining, “This exercise will map and categorize disabled persons to establish the nature of their disabilities and the barriers they face in participating in elections.”
The mapping will cover primary disabilities, including physical disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, mental disabilities, and others.
This detailed understanding of the diverse needs within the disabled community will enable the EC to develop tailored solutions that foster accessibility and inclusivity during elections.
Insights from this exercise will be foundational in implementing short-term solutions, such as selecting accessible polling venues, adapting polling materials, and diversifying communication formats.
Mucunguzi added, “The outcome will inform the choice of venues, polling materials, and communication formats to promote inclusivity come 2026, as well as for future planning.”
Following the mapping, the EC will conduct a voter register update in January.
“We urge all voters to turn up in January to cross-check their names and help eliminate non-existent individuals from the register,” Mucunguzi emphasized, stressing the need for an accurate voter list that reflects the true representation of voters.
The EC’s proactive approach to mapping and categorizing individuals with disabilities underscores its commitment to achieving an inclusive democratic process.
In a country where electoral participation of disabled individuals has historically been limited, these efforts signal a vital move towards true electoral inclusivity.
With the nation preparing for the upcoming elections, all eyes are on the EC to fulfill its promise of accessibility and fairness, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of ability, has an equal opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.