The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified the limitations faced by some categories of Ugandans including those in the diaspora, prisoners, and security personnel in participating in national elections.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with the Equal Opportunities Commission, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said that while Ugandans abroad can vote, this right is currently limited to those who register from their home parishes and physically return to vote during polling.
“A Ugandan in the diaspora can participate in elections if they are registered to vote in their place of origin and return during polling,” he said.
“Setting up polling stations in foreign countries is still a work in progress due to legal gaps.” Regarding prisoners, Byabakama said the current law does not permit polling stations inside security establishments such as prisons, police barracks, or army barracks.
“Polling stations cannot be located inside prisons. The risks of allowing prisoners, including those on death row, to leave and vote are significant,” he explained.
He also clarified that security personnel must vote at designated civilian polling stations, away from their duty posts, to ensure transparency and fairness.
“Soldiers and police officers are citizens too. But like everyone else, they vote outside of their duty stations to ensure transparency and security,” he said.
Byabakama also addressed the issue of voter apathy, noting that Uganda's laws do not make voting compulsory. “If Parliament chooses to make voting mandatory, we shall enforce that.
But as it stands, we cannot force citizens to vote,” he stated. He defended the Commission’s integrity and transparency, highlighting safeguards like issuing result declaration forms to all candidates at every polling station.
“If anyone is dissatisfied with declared results, the courts are available for redress,” he added. The EC is also preparing for elections involving special interest groups, including persons with disabilities, whom Byabakama said will be treated with the same seriousness as all other categories.