Electoral Commission Releases Roadmap for Long-Awaited LC and Women Council Elections

KAMPALA, Uganda: 22 JUNE 2026— Following a prolonged period of public anticipation, the Electoral Commission of Uganda has officially released the comprehensive roadmap for the 2026 Administrative Units (Village LC I and Parish LC II) and Women Councils and Committees elections.

In a press statement issued on June 22, 2026, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, announced that the elections will proceed following the timely provision of necessary funding by the government. The state’s financial backing ensures that the legal mandates of local leaders remain intact, successfully avoiding any leadership vacuum across the country.

The massive democratic exercise will span across 71,214 villages nationwide, featuring a return to the open-air voting system where electors queue behind their preferred choices.

Phase 1: Registration and Register Display (July 6–14)

The electoral cycle kicks off in early July with a rigorous five-day voter registration and register compilation drive.

Voter Registration (July 6–10): Village Election Officials will conduct free registrations daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. This exercise will simultaneously compile two separate roll books: the Village Council (General) Register and the Village Women’s Council Register. Willing female residents are encouraged to register in both books to vote in both sets of elections.

Registration Requirements: Applicants must be Ugandan citizens aged 18 or above, ordinarily resident in the village of registration, and willing to join the council. Registrants must present their names, age, gender, village of residence, and either a National ID card, National ID Number (NIN), or National ID Application Number.

Register Display (July 13–14): Drafts of the registers will be displayed at designated public places from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Citizens are urged to inspect their details and report the dead, under-aged, non-residents, or non-citizens for removal.

Phase 2: Village Women Committees Elections (July 15–23)

The first set of polling actions will determine the five-member leadership of the Village Women Committees, which includes a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, and Secretary for Finance.

Nominations (July 15–19): To be held at Sub-County, Town, or Municipal Division Headquarters from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Aspiring female candidates must be registered voters in the village, 18 or older, and Ugandan citizens. No academic qualifications or nomination fees are required.

Campaigns & Polling (July 20–23): Public rallies are permitted between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm for three days. Polling Day is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2026. Voting will happen via physical lining behind candidates, their representatives, portraits, or symbols in accordance with the National Women Councils Act.

The lower structures will form the basis of the broader Women Councils hierarchy, escalating progressively from the Parish level up to a National Conference slated for September 3–4, 2026.

Phase 3: Local Council I (Village) Elections (July 15–28)

Unlike the Women Committees, the LC I Chairperson elections will be strictly executed under the multi-party political dispensation, requiring political parties to organize and elect flag bearers swiftly.

Nominations (July 15–19): Candidates can collect nomination forms from Parish Election Officials between July 9 and July 14, with formal nominations taking place concurrently with the Women’s Committee nominations at Sub-County/Town levels. Requirements mimic the women’s criteria regarding residency, age, and lack of fees/academic bars.

Campaigns (July 20–27): Candidates have eight days to campaign from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Crucially, physical campaigns are confined strictly within the candidate’s specific village.

Polling Day (Tuesday, July 28, 2026): Each of the 71,214 villages will serve as an independent polling station. Voting runs from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm via the lining-up system under the Local Government Act.

Election Day Timeline (July 28):

7:00 am – 10:00 am: Assembly and voter verification.

10:00 am – 11:00 am: Voter education and briefing.

11:00 am – 11:30 am: Lining up and counting of votes.

11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Filling of paperwork and declaration of the winner.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Nomination and approval of the remaining 10 executive committee members by the Village Council.

Council.

The final LC I Executive Committee will comprise 11 officials. Six members will be appointed directly by the newly elected Chairperson and approved individually by a show of hands, while four special interest group chairpersons (Youth, Women/Public Health, PWDs, and Older Persons) will automatically join the committee by virtue of their positions.

Phase 4: Local Council II (Parish) Elections (July 29–August 10)

Following the conclusion of village leadership structures, the focus shifts to the Parish (LC II) level, where the newly elected Village Executive Committees will form the electoral colleges.

July 29, 2026: Compilation of the Parish/Ward Voters’ Register.

July 30–31, 2026: Display of the LC II Register and issuance of nomination forms.

August 3, 2026: Nomination of candidates for Parish Chairperson.

August 4–9, 2026: Campaign window.

August 10, 2026: Polling Day for LC II Chairperson.

A Call for Civic Responsibility

Justice Byabakama closed his briefing by making an urgent appeal to all Ugandans, stakeholders, and political organizations to study the rules and actively participate in the roadmap.

”The Electoral Commission has issued comprehensive guidelines to enable stakeholders to participate in the entire electoral programme… This will ensure a smooth electoral exercise,” Byabakama stated, emphasizing that adherence to the progressive guidelines is essential for a regular, free, and fair process.

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