The warning was issued by EC Commissioner Stephen Tashobya during a Regional Post-Election Evaluation Workshop for Southwestern Uganda held at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City.
The workshop brought together political leaders, security officials, civil society representatives, district women leaders and representatives of persons with disabilities from across the region.
The engagement is part of an independent evaluation of the 2025/2026 General Elections being conducted by Adroit Consult International on behalf of the Electoral Commission.
Tashobya said Uganda’s electoral system is governed by clear laws that assign responsibilities to different actors, urging stakeholders to operate within their mandates.
“When stakeholders meddle in the election process, the Electoral Commission is blamed in the end,” Tashobya said, urging all actors to “stay in their lane” and perform only duties assigned to them by law.
He also explained eligibility requirements for the upcoming Local Council elections, saying only members of LC1 executive committees will be eligible to contest for LC2 positions.
“The LC2 electoral college will comprise six people from each LC1 executive — the chairperson and five members — plus five Special Interest Group chairpersons, making 11 voters per village to elect LC2 leaders,” Tashobya said.
The commissioner urged local leaders to intensify public awareness campaigns to ensure candidates and voters understand the legal requirements ahead of the polls.
He reminded public servants intending to contest for LC1 or LC2 executive positions that they must resign from public service before seeking elective office, as required by law.
“No one can hold offices at both LC1 and LC2 at the same time. Any LC1 chairperson or executive member elected to LC2 will be required to vacate the LC1 position and hand over,” Tashobya said.
Tashobya also cautioned against multiple village registration, describing the practice as illegal and a threat to the integrity of the voters’ register.
He directed EC officials updating village registers to only register Ugandan citizens aged 18 years and above who ordinarily reside in the respective villages.
Ntungamo LCV Chairperson Sam Mucunguzi said the workshop had helped local leaders gain a better understanding of their responsibilities.
Mucunguzi said reviewing the 2025/2026 General Elections would help identify challenges and lessons to improve preparations for the Local Council elections.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled elections for LC1 Women’s Committees for July 23, LC1 Chairpersons and village committees for July 28, and LC2 elections for August 12.