The Electoral Commission has announced the official polling dates for the 2026 general elections in line with Article 61(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
The announcement covers the elections of the President, Members of Parliament, and Local Government Councils at all levels: City, District, Municipality, City Division, Sub-County, Town, and Municipal Division including Councillors representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
According to the schedule, elections for the President and Members of Parliament (Directly-elected MPs and District Women Representatives) will be held on 15th January 2026.
The National Conference for the Election of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Representatives to Parliament and the election of Councillors representing Special Interest Groups (Youths, Older Persons, and PWDs) at Sub-County, Town, and Municipal Division levels will take place on 19th January 2026.
Elections of councillors representing Special Interest Groups at Municipality and City Division levels will follow on 20th January 2026, while the National Conference for the Election of Workers Representatives to Parliament is set for January 21, 2026.
The elections of District Local Government Councils, including District and City Chairpersons, Lord Mayor, Mayors, and Councillors, are scheduled for 22nd January 2026.
The Commission has also fixed January 27, 2026, for elections of Municipality and City Division Chairpersons and Councillors. On 28th January 2026, three elections will be held concurrently: the National Female Youth Representative to Parliament, the National Female Older Persons Representative, and the UPDF Representatives to Parliament.
Elections of Councillors representing Special Interest Groups at District and City levels will be conducted on 29th January 2026, followed by the Regional Conference for the Election of Older Persons Representatives to Parliament on February 2, 2026, and elections of Sub-County, Town, and Municipal Division Chairpersons and Councillors on February 4, 2026.
The Regional Conferences for Election of Regional Youth Representatives to Parliament will be held on February 6, 2026.
Meanwhile, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has called on Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), and security personnel to refrain from obstructing or interfering with presidential candidates during their campaigns.
This was issued on Monday, November 3, 2025, during a meeting between the Electoral Commission, agents, and security agencies to discuss the campaign trail.
The meeting followed growing tension between security officers and campaign teams, with reports of movement restrictions imposed on some presidential candidates.
Justice Byabakama reminded security officers to remain professional and avoid acts of bias or intimidation during campaigns. He noted that blocking or diverting candidates from legitimate campaign venues violates electoral guidelines.
He further cautioned RDCs and RCCs against stopping candidates from moving freely, stressing that the Commission has issued official campaign route charts for all presidential candidates.
According to the Commission, presidential campaigns officially close on January 13, 2026, while elections unfold on January 15, 2026.
Justice Byabakama also urged candidates, security personnel, and the electorate to coordinate with the Electoral Commission to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.