The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed all media houses not to establish independent tally centres as the country moves closer to the 2026 general election.
UCC Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo said only the Electoral Commission has the mandate to announce official results.
He warned that any media house attempting to tally votes independently will face serious consequences.
“No media house is authorized to set up its own tally center. All official results will come directly from the Electoral Commission. Any media house that creates a tally center will have its license withdrawn,” Nyombi said.
The directive, he explained, is intended to protect the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that information reaching the public is accurate and not distorted by unofficial tallies.
UCC further cautioned that any broadcaster who defies the directive will face severe penalties, including suspension or revocation of their operating license.
