As Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, the political landscape is becoming increasingly crowded and complex.
New political parties are mushrooming, and long-dormant factions are reawakening under the leadership of both demagogues and charismatic and, sometimes, controversial political figures.
While this may appear to be a vibrant sign of a healthy democracy, many believe it to be a calculated ploy by the ruling regime, a tactical distraction intended to dilute opposition influence and manipulate the democratic process.
But beneath the drama of political rivalries and populist rhetoric lies a far more significant issue that may ultimately determine the legitimacy of Uganda’s electoral outcomes: the integrity and independence of the Electoral Commission
A SYSTEM UNDER SIEGE
Uganda’s electoral process has been plagued by years of mistrust, voter intimidation and systemic irregularities. The commission tasked with overseeing this process, the Electoral Commission of Uganda (the Electoral Commission), continues to draw criticism from across the political spectrum for its perceived incompetence and lack of independence.
Despite being constitutionally mandated to operate autonomously, the fact that its commissioners are directly appointed by the president raises serious concerns about its neutrality.
Dr Kizza Besigye, a seasoned opposition figure, predicted before the 2021 elections that President Yoweri Museveni would never permit a genuine electoral contest and, in the eyes of many, that prophecy was fulfilled.
As speculation swirls about whether Dr Besigye will be released from prison and contest in the 2026 elections, a key question arises: would his participation signify a new confidence in the process or a shift in opposition strategy?
Restoring faith in Uganda’s democracy begins with transforming how elections are conducted. There is growing consensus among civil society leaders, political analysts, and concerned citizens that Uganda urgently needs a truly Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), one free from presidential patronage and executive interference.
The proposed IEC would oversee every component of the electoral process: from voter registration and boundary demarcation to campaign oversight, political financing, and voter education.
Uganda’s electoral inconsistencies are not theoretical concerns; they are lived realities that undermine the integrity of the entire democratic process. Voter registration rolls are riddled with discrepancies, including duplicate entries, missing names and misallocated voters.
Civil society watchdogs such as the Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) have previously flagged suspiciously inflated registration figures appearing just days before elections.
Chronic underfunding further cripples the Electoral Commission’s ability to address electoral violence, harassment and logistical chaos. Allegations of vote tampering remain widespread, with delays in counting and accusations of manipulation casting a long shadow over outcomes.
Public confidence is also corroded by the president’s current role in appointing commissioners, concentrating power in the hands of the incumbent. These failures highlight the urgent need for an overhaul of Uganda’s electoral architecture.
BLUEPRINT
A comprehensive reform package must begin with legal and constitutional changes. Article 60 of the Constitution needs to be amended to eliminate the president’s exclusive power to appoint commissioners.
Instead, an inclusive appointment panel should be introduced, bringing together civil society, the judiciary, academia, religious institutions and opposition parties. A new Electoral Commission Act is needed to guarantee both financial and operational independence. Credible leadership is equally essential.
Commissioners must be vetted by parliament and confirmed with a two-thirds majority, ensuring selections are based on competence, integrity and nonpartisanship. Leadership should include seasoned professionals with backgrounds in law, governance or public administration, to strengthen public trust.
Financial autonomy must be guaranteed by ring-fencing the commission’s budget, with direct allocation by parliament. All spending should be subject to transparent auditing to ensure accountability.
Voter registration integrity is another critical reform area. Biometric registration systems should be implemented to eliminate ghost voters. Regular audits of the voter register, along with real-time access for all political parties, would further bolster credibility.
To ensure a level campaign playing field, all candidates must have equal access to the media. The use of state resources for campaign purposes should be strictly prohibited, and an Electoral Offenses Tribunal should be established to enforce these rules.
Effective monitoring and dispute resolution mechanisms are also vital. Domestic and international observers must have full access to the entire process. Electoral disputes should be resolved swiftly and impartially through a strengthened Petitions Tribunal.
Additionally, results should be publicly displayed at polling stations to enhance transparency. The path to a freer, more democratic Uganda does not lie in political slogans or partisan manoeuvering, but in the foundational principle of credible elections.
An independent, empowered and transparent electoral commission is not a luxury; it is a democratic necessity. A free Uganda begins with free and fair elections.
The writer is a political analyst.
You forget the elephant in the room: UPDF, police, and CMI operate as free rangers during elections. they arrest polling agents and supervise ballot stuffing. I have not heard that these criminal and partisan elements in the security have ever been arrested.
This is an article that is trying to educate this long serving government of 40 years about proper democracy. It is now over 60 years and counting when Uganda has all along tried to process proper democracy amongst its people! Well what is going wrong if this article insists that it is not at all well with democracy in this country?
God should help Uganda, because after President Museveni, there’s no one who can tell what may happen, because the true successor isn’t available, because his son Muhoozi Kerugaba who is son,who they suspect to be his Successor may not be able to perform as his Father, and at the same time many may claim that he has been favored to succeed his father, because they feel some more capable Leaders were their to succeed his father, but because he’s the son he has been preferred and this scenario is very likely and can cause problems to this Country.
Odongo Richard you have a point. The political party of NRM as mandated to provide a successor to govern this country is betting its hopes on the wrong leadership. His father after fighting brutally in the African tropical bush because in Uganda elections are constantly stolen has also failed to organize proper democratic elections in this African country. Look how messed up have been the party’s primary elections of this political party? The electoral crimes being committed are out of the democratic world! One hopes that as soon as the son of this long serving President of Uganda takes over from this political mess, many of these die hard politicians will be thrown in his basement dungeon to learn the traditional language of the tribal people of the Uganda Western province and the inalienable rights of African people to participate in free and fair democratic national elections!
Surely for Edward Kazibwe, democracy is never at crossroads since when the Greeks founded it and documented it. One cannot say that Africans did not practice democracy because there are no social documents about it. Democracy, as a concept and form of government, is traditionally traced back to ancient Athens in the 6th century BC (over 2025 years ago). The Athenians are credited with establishing the first well-documented direct democracy. It is the people these days who want to practice it or who pretend to practice it are the ones at crossroads! “Democracy is a system of government where state power is held by the people and exercised directly by them or through elected representatives. It’s often summarized as “rule by the people”. Key elements include free and fair elections, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.”