Summary:
- Justice Byabakama emphasized that the extension will allow more citizens to participate in the upcoming elections.
KAMPALA: The Electoral Commission has extended the voter registration and update exercise by an additional seven days, giving eligible citizens more time to register.
This extension aims to accommodate those who were unable to register during the initial period from January 20 to February 10, 2025.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, during a press conference in Kampala.
Originally set to conclude on February 10, 2025, the exercise was extended following requests from key stakeholders who advocated for more time to ensure comprehensive coverage of eligible voters.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that the extension will allow more citizens to participate in the upcoming elections.
Justice Byabakama clarified that this extension is not a fresh voter registration but an opportunity for Ugandan citizens who have turned 18 and have not yet registered to do so.
The update exercise will continue to be conducted at designated update stations from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.
Additionally, registered voters wishing to transfer to new voting locations can do so during this period.
“Voters who wish to transfer must present proof of residence or origin in the parish of the new voting location and should ensure they have details of their previous voting location,” Justice Byabakama stated.
The Commission has also made the National Voters’ Register available at update centers in each parish to allow voters to verify their registration status and ensure their details are accurate. Voters can also check their information online via the Electoral Commission’s website.
“Please note that the National Voters Register is being actively updated during this period, and voter statistics are subject to change,” Justice Byabakama added.
Justice Byabakama acknowledged that the initial 21-day registration period faced several challenges, particularly the limited number of registration kits provided by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
He noted that many of these kits were outdated and prone to frequent breakdowns, slowing the pace of registration.
“The limited number of kits, combined with their rotational deployment, created delays and long queues at registration centers,” he said. “Despite these challenges, the update centers across the country continue to experience high turnout.”
As of February 10, 2025, the Electoral Commission had registered 361,432 new voters and processed 292,021 applications for voter transfers.
Justice Byabakama noted that these figures do not include students registered by NIRA, whose data is still being processed.
The National Voters Register, which recorded 18,103,603 voters for the 2020/2021 General Elections, now stands at 19,925,574 voters. The register has been continuously updated through NIRA’s data and during by-elections for parliamentary and local government positions.
Justice Byabakama urged all eligible citizens who have not yet registered or wish to transfer their voting location to take advantage of the extension. He reiterated the importance of participating in the electoral process and contributing to the democratic governance of the country.
The Electoral Commission will release updated voter statistics at key milestones of the 2025/2026 General Elections Roadmap, including during the Display Exercise of the National Voters Register scheduled for April-May 2025.
