More than 71,000 villages across Uganda are set to participate in a nationwide voter register update exercise next month as preparations gather pace for the forthcoming Local Council (LC) and Women Council elections.
The Electoral Commission has designated July 6 to July 10, 2026 for the update of village-level registers that will be used during the elections for Local Council I (LC I), Local Council II (LC II) and Women Council leadership structures.
Announcing the electoral roadmap, Electoral Commission Chairperson Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the exercise will be conducted in all 71,214 villages nationwide and is aimed at ensuring that eligible citizens are properly registered to participate in the grassroots elections.
The update exercise is expected to benefit thousands of Ugandans who have attained voting age since the last registration, as well as those who have relocated to new villages and need to update their voting details.
Justice Byabakama said maintaining an accurate and credible register is essential for the conduct of free and fair elections.
The forthcoming elections are expected to attract widespread participation because Local Councils and Women Councils serve as the first point of governance and representation for citizens at community level.
Unlike parliamentary and presidential elections, village council elections are conducted using village-based registers, making the update exercise particularly important for eligible voters seeking to participate in the election of local leaders.
Electoral officials said the exercise will also help identify and remove inaccuracies in the register while capturing eligible voters who may have been left out previously.
The Commission urged citizens to verify their particulars during the exercise and report any discrepancies to electoral officials.
The announcement marks the formal start of preparations for the grassroots elections, which play a key role in local administration, community mobilization and conflict resolution.
Local Council leaders are often responsible for handling community disputes, coordinating local development initiatives and acting as a link between citizens and higher levels of government.
Women Councils, meanwhile, provide a platform for women’s participation in governance and decision-making at various levels of local administration.
Justice Byabakama called on local leaders, civil society organizations and the public to support the voter register update exercise to ensure maximum participation.
The Electoral Commission is expected to release additional details on nominations, campaigns and polling dates as implementation of the electoral programme progresses.
With just weeks remaining before the register update begins, election officials have encouraged all eligible Ugandans to take advantage of the exercise, describing it as the first step toward participating in one of the country’s most extensive grassroots democratic processes.
