Kampala, Uganda: The Electoral Commission has released clear guidelines every voter must follow as Uganda heads into the 2026 general elections, which officially begin on January 15, 2026, with the election of the President and Members of Parliament.
The electoral process, according to EC, will run until February 6, 2026, when regional youth representatives to Parliament will be elected at regional conferences.
Here Are the 7 Key EC Guidelines for Polling Day
- Vote at Your Registered Polling Station
On polling day, report only to the polling station where you are registered as a voter. - Present Identification
Present your National ID or Voter Location Slip. If you do not have either, the Presiding Officer will assist to confirm your details using the National Voters Register. - Biometric Verification Is Mandatory
Your identity will be verified using the Biometric Voter Verification Machine through fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. - Ballot Papers Issued After Verification
Once verified, the Presiding Officer will scan and issue you with ballot papers for the respective elective positions. - Mark Your Choice Correctly
Proceed to the voting basin and mark the candidate of your choice for each elective position using either a tick or your thumbprint. - Insert Ballot Papers in the Correct Boxes
Fold each ballot paper as instructed and insert it into the corresponding ballot box. - Finger Marking After Voting
After voting, the Polling Assistant will mark your finger with indelible ink to indicate that you have voted.
Polling Time: Polling stations will open at 7:00 am and close at 4:00 pm.
Key Election Dates to Note
- January 15, 2026: Presidential and Members of Parliament elections
- January 19, 2026: Elections for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Special Interest Group councillors at sub-county level
- January 22, 2026: District Chairperson and Lord Mayor elections
- February 6, 2026: Regional Youth Representative elections to Parliament
