EC dispatches polling materials as NRM women launch campaign initiative

9 January 2026, 12:08 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As part of preparations for a smooth and transparent electoral process, the Electoral Commission today flagged off and dispatched polling materials to 12 districts in the first phase of distribution for the 2026 General Elections. The exercise took place at the Commission’s warehouse in Ntinda, Kampala, and was led by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama.

The materials are intended for use on polling day during the Presidential, Directly Elected Member of Parliament, and District Woman Member of Parliament elections.

Speaking to journalists during the ceremony, Justice Byabakama said the exercise marks a critical milestone in the Commission’s preparations and demonstrates its commitment to timely logistics, effective coordination, and the smooth conduct of the electoral process. He added that distribution to the remaining districts will follow in subsequent phases.

Justice Byabakama also assured the public that the Commission has sufficient funding, manpower, and security arrangements in place to facilitate the exercise.

“I want to assure the general public that we have enough funds to support this exercise. There is nothing to worry about. We also have sufficient manpower, and the materials will be secured from here to their final destinations and kept safe until polling day,” he said.

The Chairperson urged all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with electoral laws to better understand the procedures and avoid misinformation. Addressing concerns about candidates who withdrew after ballot papers had already been printed, Byabakama said the Commission will inform voters accordingly, noting that no changes can be made at that stage.

He further confirmed that the Commission has begun issuing voter registers to presidential candidates, as required by law.

“I want to make this clear: if you are a registered voter, you will be able to vote, even if you do not have a national identification card or a voter location slip. As long as you are on the national register, you will vote. However, I encourage voters to obtain their voter location slips to ease the process,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, launched the All Women for Museveni initiative. The event was organised by the National Resistance Movement Women’s League, led by its chairperson, Adrine Kobusingye.

In her address, Janet Museveni called upon women to pray for peaceful elections and urged them to guide their children, particularly the youth, against engaging in violence.

“As women, we are the cement that strengthens the house of Uganda. I thank the Women’s League chairperson for organising this historic event,” she said.

The Vice President, Jesca Alupo, who also attended, praised the campaign slogan for energising women and youth across the country ahead of the 15 January 2026 elections. She emphasised that peace and security remain the foundation of national progress, noting that women are among the greatest beneficiaries of peace.

In her remarks, Adrine Kobusingye thanked her team for mobilising women from across the country and reaffirmed their support for the NRM presidential flag bearer in the upcoming elections.

Women who attended the event expressed appreciation for the mobilisation but urged the leadership to ensure that commitments discussed at the gathering, including the proposal to establish a women’s bank, are implemented.