EC Urges Public to Prepare Ahead of National Voter Register Update

Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed that more than 12,000 staff members, both permanent and newly recruited, are undergoing training nationwide to manage the exercise.
With just five days left before the commencement of the 21-day national voter register update, electoral observers are urging the Electoral Commission (EC) to intensify its awareness campaigns to ensure maximum participation.
The EC has warned potential voters to prepare in advance for what will be the final opportunity to update their registration details before the upcoming general elections.
The exercise is set to begin on January 19, 2025, three months later than it was ahead of the 2020-2021 general elections when the EC completed verification and identification exercise in all villages throughout Uganda in October 2019.
Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed that more than 12,000 staff members, both permanent and newly recruited, are undergoing training nationwide to manage the exercise.
"These personnel are currently undergoing induction on the guidelines for the update exercise," Mucunguzi explained.
However, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the ongoing sensitization efforts. Solomon Nokrach, regional coordinator for the Forum for Women in Democracy, expressed concerns about gaps in the campaign.
"They are running radio and TV adverts, but the door-to-door approach is missing. This limits access to information for many, especially in remote areas," Nokrach noted.
Politicians and electoral observers are also skeptical about whether the masses will fully utilize the brief registration window.
Siranda, a political figure, questioned the complexity of the process: "Is this letter from the chairman not enough? Why are we complicating the system by involving the Giso unnecessarily?"
Pope Paul Oketa, an advocate and resident in Gulu, criticized the current information dissemination strategy, noting that rural communities are being left out.
"People in the villages are not being adequately reached with the necessary information," Oketa stated.
The EC has maintained that adherence to the established guidelines is essential for a smooth exercise, urging the public to act promptly.
"Visit your LC1 and Giso early so that the only thing left will be submitting your details," Mucunguzi advised.
As the countdown begins, the focus remains on bridging the information gap and ensuring that every eligible voter is ready to participate in the upcoming registration update.