The Electoral Commission (EC) has moved to protect the integrity of local governance by rescheduling elections in areas where polling was disrupted, setting Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as the new voting date for affected Local Government Council electoral areas.
The decision follows the failure to conduct or conclude polling in some areas like Butebo district during the earlier electoral exercise, which had been scheduled for February 4, 2026. According to the EC, the postponement was necessitated by unforeseen circumstances, prompting the need for a fresh and orderly vote.
The rescheduled elections will cover a range of leadership positions at the City/District, Municipality/City Division and Sub-county, Town or Municipal Division levels. These include chairpersons, directly elected councillors, women councillors, as well as representatives of special interest groups, namely youths, older persons, workers and persons with disabilities.
Voting in the affected areas will take place at all gazetted polling stations and, where applicable, at venues designated for electoral colleges. Polling will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m., with counting and declaration of results to follow at the respective polling stations.
While announcing the new date, the EC was keen to draw a clear distinction between the rescheduled polls and the broader national programme. The Commission emphasized that February 4 remains the official polling day under the General Elections Roadmap for sub-county, town and municipal division elections nationwide, where voting will proceed as planned through universal adult suffrage.
EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon called on all electoral stakeholders to use the extended window to prepare for a peaceful and law-abiding exercise, noting that the Commission’s priority is to ensure every eligible voter in the affected areas has a fair opportunity to participate.
The announcement underscores the Commission’s effort to balance adherence to the electoral roadmap with the need to guarantee credible and inclusive local elections, particularly in communities where the initial vote was interrupted.
