Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Electoral Commission (EC) has unveiled a detailed programme for the conduct of the 2026 Administrative Units elections, setting the stage for the election of Village (LC I) and Parish/Ward (LC II) leaders across the country.
The roadmap, released by the Commission and signed by Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, outlines a series of activities that will culminate in the election of Village Chairpersons on July 28 and Parish/Ward Chairpersons on August 10.
According to the Commission, preparations for the grassroots elections will begin with the recruitment of Sub-county and Parish Supervisors on June 25, followed by the recruitment of Village Election Officials between June 22 and July 1. The names of the recruited officials will be displayed at parish and ward headquarters on July 2 before they undergo training the following day.
A key stage in the electoral process will involve the verification of residents and compilation of Village General Voters’ Registers from July 6 to July 10. The same period will serve as the cut-off point for compiling the Village (LC I) Voters’ Register.
The Commission has scheduled the display of the Village Voters’ Register for July 13 and 14 to enable residents to verify their details before the elections.
Aspiring candidates for the position of Village Chairperson will collect nomination forms from parish headquarters between July 9 and July 14. Formal nominations will then take place at Sub-county, Town Council and Division headquarters from July 15 to July 19.
Candidates will conduct campaigns from July 20 to July 27 ahead of polling day on July 28. Voting for Village Chairpersons will be conducted through the traditional lining-up method, after which votes will be counted and winners declared. The election of LC I Executive Committees will also take place during village council meetings on the same day.
The programme further provides for the election of Parish and Ward (LC II) Chairpersons. Compilation of the LC II Voters’ Register will take place on July 29, followed by its display from July 30 to July 31. Nominations are scheduled for August 3, while campaigns will run from August 4 to August 9. Polling for Parish and Ward Chairpersons will be held on August 10.
In an official statement, the Electoral Commission said: “The Electoral Commission has approved the programme below, for the conduct of Administrative Units (Village [LC I] and Parish [LC II]) Elections, 2026.”
The Commission also urged citizens and other stakeholders to actively participate in the electoral process.
“The Commission calls on all stakeholders to participate in the above activities in accordance with the guidelines for the elections,” the statement said.
The LC I and LC II elections are expected to strengthen grassroots governance structures and provide communities with an opportunity to choose local leaders responsible for mobilization, service delivery and dispute resolution at village and parish levels.
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