UPC wants voter registration prolonged

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The opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to prolong the ongoing voter registration and identification exercise to give those about to turn 18 years old a chance to register.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the party headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala, the UPC party president Jimmy Akena said the move would ensure no Ugandan is denied their voting rights.

He stated there is no need for the ‘rush,’ noting that the registration exercise could extend until October this year.

“I would want to appeal to authorities to allow some more time for the ongoing exercise to ensure more people register,” Akena said.

Relatedly, UPC recently called on Ugandans to work for a peaceful electoral process. They noted that the country has suffered electoral violence in the past, with lives lost, and therefore should never slide back.

Without mentioning names, party spokesperson, Sharon Oyat, said some political parties tend to orchestrate election violence, which she stressed undermines the values of democracy. She, therefore, underscored the need for political party leaders to lead and rally their supporters towards peaceful acts.

“As you all know our history, we are for dialogue. This is because we believe it is the right and easiest way to attain lasting peace. I want to call upon all Ugandans to be agents of peace because our country deserves more of it,” Oyat said.

UPC’s call comes at a time when the EC has announced the general update of the national voters’ register, running from January 20 to February 10 this year.

This critical exercise, forming part of the roadmap to the 2026 general elections and referenda, aims to ensure that all eligible voters are prepared to participate in free and fair elections.

According to the Electoral Commission, the update will allow Ugandans to register as voters if they have turned 18, update their voting location if they have moved to new residences, confirm their details to ensure accuracy in the register and assign polling stations for newly registered voters.