Uganda is heading into the 2026 General Elections with 21.6 million registered voters, a number the Electoral Commission (EC) says reflects the scale of preparation required for the upcoming polls.
The latest figures, released on November 13, 2025, show that 11,347,129 voters are women (53%), while 10,334,362 are men (47%)—a demographic balance the Commission says must be fully catered for in its electoral roadmap.
EC chairperson Justice Simon Mugyenyi Byabakama said the Commission has already completed major election preparatory activities.
These include updating the National Voters Register, reorganising polling stations, compiling Special Interest Group (SIG) registers, and nominating candidates for all elective positions. The country will rely on 50,739 polling stations spread across 146 districts, 353 constituencies, and more than 71,000 villages to manage the January 2026 polls.
But despite these preparations, the Commission has been forced to reopen nominations in seven electoral areas following the deaths of cleared candidates.
“We must ensure that voters in the affected areas have a choice on polling day. Fresh nomination is therefore necessary to replace candidates who passed away,” Justice Byabakama said.
The fresh nominations will be conducted on November 27 and 28, 2025, in accordance with Section 26 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which requires reopening of nominations when a candidate dies before polling.
The deceased candidates include Tumwikirize Kaakuba Pagiel (Kassanda), Kubal Patrick (Kaabong), Wooti Julius Paul (Bududa), Akello Joan (Kwania), Sembuzi Gerald (Nakasongola), Nagudi Beth (Sironko), and Mwebaze Racheal (Tororo).
Justice Byabakama clarified that candidates who were already nominated in these areas will remain on the ballot. “Only the positions left vacant by the deceased candidates will be reopened,” he said.
He also confirmed that the EC will soon issue Voter Location Slips to guide all 21.6 million voters on where they will cast their ballots. He urged citizens and political actors to prepare for polling day.
“We call upon all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, observers, security agencies, civil society and the electorate, to take note of the polling dates and prepare accordingly,” he said.
The Commission also released the full voting programme, beginning with the election of the President and Members of Parliament on January 15, 2026, followed by a series of SIG, district, city, municipal, and sub-county elections stretching from January 19 to February 6, 2026.
Justice Byabakama further revealed that the EC handled about 300 petitions and complaints from the nomination exercise, all of which he said were resolved in accordance with the law.
With more than 21 million Ugandans expected at the polls, the EC says it is finalising all remaining activities to ensure a smooth electoral process across the country’s widespread administrative units.
