Empty Stations, Inadequate Equipment Mark Start of Voter Registration as Public Remains Unaware of the Process

The commencement of voter registration across Uganda has been marred by empty stations, insufficient equipment, and widespread confusion among the public. Several regions visited by Uganda Radio Network revealed a lack of awareness about the process, leaving many residents unsure of what was required. 

In Nabweru, Nansana Municipality, Agatha Mulawa, a local resident, woke up to find people sitting on benches near the town council offices. Surprised, she learned that the Electoral Commission (EC) officials were on-site to register new voters and update the existing voter register. A first-time voter, Mulawa had assumed that registration was automatic after receiving a national ID. 

"I thought it was a given once you register for a national ID. Do we have to register again? What is required? When will this end?" she asked, trying to understand the process that had already begun. At another station near the traditional Kira polling station, by 11 AM, only three people had come to check their voter details. One of them, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that he was trying to transfer his registration from Kamwokya to Najjera.

In Luwero Town Council, the registration process got off to a slow start due to low turnout and a shortage of enrollment kits. There are six update stations in Luwero Town Council, including Kavule, Luwero Central, Luwero South East, Luwero West, Kiwogozi, and PWD parishes. However, registration officers were only able to use phones to check voters' details, as the physical registers had not yet been delivered. Furthermore, there was only one kit available for the entire town council, further delaying the process for new registrants. 

The updating officers were also issuing registration forms and informing voters to return on another day. Aminah Namaganda Ssempa, the Electoral Commission Supervisor for Luwero Town Council, confirmed that the town council had only one enrollment kit, which would be rotated to different parishes on different days. Namaganda added that updating officers, together with LC 1 Chairpersons, have been tasked with alerting residents about the schedule to ensure that no one misses the opportunity. 

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The enrollment kit comprises a computer set and a camera. However, Chris Johns Buwembo, the LC 3 Chairperson of Luwero Town Council, criticized the rotation of the kit, calling it unfair and impractical as residents may prefer to turn up on different days for the registration exercise. He stressed that the lack of sufficient enrollment kits could affect the registration process and urged the Electoral Commission to provide additional equipment for the town council.   

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Brenda Nabukenya, the Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament, also questioned the use of phones by updating officers, calling them unreliable, especially in rural areas with poor internet connectivity. Nabukenya expressed surprise at these ongoing irregularities despite the Electoral Commission launching the roadmap a year ago.   

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Meanwhile, in Kiwogozi Parish in Luwero Town, updating officers were stranded when they found the proposed registration venue at Luwero Hospital was being used for immunization exercises. Bruno Oyik, the Luwero Hospital Medical Superintendent, confirmed that they had not received prior communication about the venue’s use for voter registration but were making arrangements to accommodate both activities. 

By midday, Electoral Commission officers in Luwero Town Council had only registered between 4 to 10 people for verification and enrollment. At Kavule Parish, by 9:30 AM, a young man arrived to check his registration status but was instructed by an EC official to wait. 

When asked about the inactivity at the center, the official explained that while the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) had informed them to expect the kits, they had yet to arrive an hour and a half after the scheduled start time. 

In Kiwogozi Parish, John Baptist Mpiima, the LC 1 Chairman, also pointed out significant delays in finalizing the location for the registration center. 

People think its National ID registration 

In Kawempe were there is a looming by election, Ivan Ssimbwa, the registration update officer stationed at Mbogo Primary School said that most of the people who visit their station are asking for information about how to obtain national IDs as they thought that it was NIRA on ground. Fatima Namusisi Nambi, the updating officer at Kazo-Angola parish, also mentioned the same. 

By press time, Namusisi had worked with 6 people, saying that others were only coming for information and then leaving. Jane franciska Nakaye, the LC1 chairperson of Kazo-Angola Central, said that when they learnt about the process in their village they mobilized their people since last Friday, but the turnout on the first day had been very low. Nakaye also appealed to the Electoral Commission to work with the LCs to carry out massive sensitization of the people.   

Meanwhile, a visit to Kigezi High School’s playground in Northern Division, Kabale Municipality, found no election officials by midday, and similar situations were observed at other polling stations, such as Makanga Primary School and Nyakairima Polling Stations in Bugongi, Northern Division. At Kabale Municipal Stadium and Kabale Parents Primary School, polling officials were also absent. 

However, election officials were found at Rwakaraba Masters Garage Polling Station, where three fresh voters had been registered by 1:00 PM. Jimmy Kombozi, the Electoral Commission Supervisor for Northern Division, confirmed that only three voters had been registered at Rwakaraba Masters Garage Polling Station by midday. He also noted that the officials had yet to receive registers for updating existing voter information but remained optimistic that more people would turn up despite the lack of sensitization. 

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Michael Kwarikunda Mbareeba, a voter from Kashumuruzi in Rwamucucu Sub-county, Rukiga District, called for increased sensitization to raise awareness about the registration exercise. "Many voters in villages are not aware of the process," he said.  

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In Lira City, the turnout was low. By midday, fewer than 20 people had shown up at the Lira City East Division headquarters to verify their information. Aaron Otim, the division supervisor, believes more people will come as the exercise progresses. A similar trend was observed at Adyel Division Headquarters in Lira City West Division, where only a handful of people had visited the center. 

In Gulu City, the exercise began at around 10 AM in half of the wards mapped by the Electoral Commission due to limited kits. James Aggrey Ipeto, the Returning Officer for Gulu City Electoral Commission, explained that only 15 kits had been delivered for the exercise, despite the city having 32 wards and two divisions. Ipeto expressed concern that the exercise could be severely affected due to delayed endorsements of letters by Local Council 1 Chairpersons. 

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Similarly, in Pabbo Town Council in neighboring Amuru District, the kit delivered by the Electoral Commission failed to work amidst a low turnout. "We are just seated here for accountability, there is no work ongoing," an update officer told URN. The same issues were reported in Pogo Sub-county, where missing accessories halted the exercise. 

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Gertrude Ajwang Obua, the Returning Officer for Amuru District, acknowledged the challenges, explaining that NIRA officers were troubleshooting the equipment. She noted that many of the machines delivered were old and missing vital components for data capturing. In Greater Masaka, Alex Muhinda, a resident of Rakai Town Council in Rakai District, reports a very low turnout on the first day of the voter verification exercise. 

He points out that many people in the community are unaware of the process, which could significantly hinder their participation. Muhinda has urged the Electoral Commission to reconsider its approach, suggesting that the exercise be conducted at local villages or polling stations to reduce the distance people need to travel. 

He added that the process could be exploited by political candidates who can transport supporters to the designated verification and registration locations. Swaibuh Makumbi, a mobilizer with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Masaka, shared that they have been actively engaging with the community, encouraging participation in the exercise after observing a low voluntary turnout. 

Political Parties Mobilize Supporters Amid Challenges 

As the voter registration exercise unfolds, political parties are stepping up their efforts to mobilize supporters, emphasizing the importance of this process ahead of the 2025/2026 General Elections. Two weeks ago, President Yoweri Museveni, also the chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), urged party members to actively participate in the registration process.

The NRM’s structures are being mobilized to encourage voters to show up and ensure they are registered. David Lewis Rubongoya, the Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP), emphasized the importance of checking voter details, asserting that this is the only way for their supporters to have a say in the direction of the country.

Similarly, the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda’s oldest political party, has been organizing its structures to ensure supporters turn out for the registration process. DP Vice President Denis Mukasa Mbidde highlighted the critical nature of this exercise, asserting that it is just as important as voting itself. However, Mbidde also criticized the lack of civic education, arguing that the government is rushing the process without adequately preparing the public, which could ultimately benefit the incumbent. 

Under the law, the Electoral Commission is mandated to implement civic education programs related to elections, including voter education and sensitization. This mandate is outlined in Article 61(g) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. When questioned about the lack of preparation for the registration exercise, Julius Mucunguzi the EC spokesperson acknowledged the concern but defended the process. 

URN learned that the Electoral Commission had issued a call for bids three months ago from non-partisan, self-financing individuals, civil society organizations, and community-based groups to conduct voter education ahead of the general elections. 

In response to concerns about the limited number of registration kits, Mucunguzi clarified that the EC had distributed kits to various locations, with parish supervisors already briefed on where residents can access the available kits at any given time. Efforts are being made to inform residents about where to go for registration, though logistical challenges remain.

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