The Electoral Commission (EC) has reaffirmed that preparations for Uganda’s January 15 general elections are progressing as planned, assuring the public that all key milestones on the electoral roadmap are being met.
With only three days remaining to polling day, the Commission announced that on Monday, January 12, it will brief both local and international election observers who have been successfully accredited to monitor the 2026 polls.
The briefing, according to the EC, will focus on Uganda’s legal framework governing elections as well as the final operational guidelines that will apply as observers deploy across the country.
“The briefing will mainly focus on giving the observers the context of electoral practice in Uganda and the legal requirements,” said Paul Bukenya, the Media and Public Relations Manager of the Electoral Commission.
The observer orientation comes after the Commission completed the dispatch of electoral material kits to districts nationwide.
These include ballot papers for both presidential and parliamentary candidates, voter registers and other essential polling materials.
Having concluded the distribution of the kits, the Commission says it is now concentrating on the final logistical and administrative arrangements ahead of Thursday’s vote.
Bukenya said the observer briefing is a critical step in the electoral process, as it ensures that both domestic and international monitors clearly understand the rules and procedures governing elections in Uganda before they head into the field.
Earlier in the process, several local observer groups raised concerns after being left out of the initial list of accredited monitors. However, the Commission has indicated that the briefing may also include updates to the list of approved observers.
“We are still receiving some clarifications, and where necessary, we may accommodate additional local observers, especially from civil society and the media, as long as they meet the required criteria,” Bukenya said.
On the status of election materials, the Commission reported that most districts have already received their consignments, with district officials currently safeguarding the materials as security agencies coordinate protection ahead of polling day.
“What remains is the polling-day distribution to individual polling stations to ensure the integrity and safety of the voting process,” Bukenya noted.
The Electoral Commission said the final delivery of sensitive materials to polling stations will be conducted on election day itself to minimise risks and safeguard the credibility of the electoral process.
As the country enters the final stretch toward the polls, the Commission maintains that it remains on course, with both logistical preparations and stakeholder engagement progressing according to plan.