The Electoral Commission (EC) has received the first batch of 60,000 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), marking a key step in preparations for the 2026 General Elections.
The equipment was officially received at Entebbe International Airport by the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, who described the development as a milestone in strengthening transparency and credibility in Uganda’s electoral process.
“The verification machines will prevent ballot stuffing and ensure one man, one vote,” Justice Byabakama said during the handover.
The BVVKs will be deployed at polling stations across the country to biometrically verify voters before they cast their ballots, a measure aimed at eliminating cases of multiple voting and other electoral malpractices.
Justice Byabakama reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting a peaceful, free, and fair election, urging all Ugandans to uphold calm and unity throughout the process.
The 2026 presidential election will kickstart a broader electoral cycle that includes parliamentary and local government polls, scheduled to run through February 2026.
The incumbent president, Museveni, will once again contest as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer.
He will face seven other candidates, among them Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), James Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Other contenders include Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP), Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of the Common Man’s Party, Frank Kabinga Bulira of the Reform Party of Uganda, and Robert Kasibante of the National People’s Party (NPP).
In the previous presidential election held on January 14, 2021, President Museveni secured 6,042,898 votes (58.38%) out of 10,350,819 cast, while Kyagulanyi came second with 3,631,437 votes (35.08%). The overall voter turnout stood at 57.2% of the 18.1 million registered voters.
As the countdown to the January 15, 2026 polls begins, the arrival of the biometric verification kits signals the start of intensified preparations and renewed scrutiny on the Electoral Commission to deliver a credible and transparent vote that will shape Uganda’s political trajectory for years to come.