The Electoral Commission (EC) is utilizing data from the 2014 National Census to update the national voters’ register in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, informed the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs that the 2024 census data is not yet suitable for the ongoing voter register update.
“Technically and officially, the available data is from 2014. This is the basis on which we have proceeded with the demarcation of local governments,” Byabakama stated.
James Muwonge, the Director of Methodology and Statistical Coordination at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), clarified that the current data is only available at the district level. He added that certain parishes and sub-counties are missing information due to ongoing boundary disputes.
“The challenge is determining where to allocate this population. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Local Government for guidance, and within five months, this data will be accessible,” Muwonge explained.
On Thursday, 30 January 2025, the Committee engaged with the EC, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), and UBOS after Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa instructed them to examine a statement from Deputy Attorney General Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi regarding the voter register update.
Hon. Mathias Mpuuga (NUP, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division) questioned the credibility of relying on 12-year-old census data.
“This raises significant concerns about what lies ahead. At what point does the EC intend to utilize the most recent census data?” Mpuuga inquired. He further noted that under the Constitution, the EC is mandated to review population distribution after each census and adjust constituencies accordingly.
Lawmakers also voiced concerns about the outdated equipment being used for the voter register update, warning that it could compromise the integrity of the final data.
NIRA’s Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo, admitted that the equipment being used is obsolete, having been procured in 2014.
“This technology is now 11 years old, reaching the end of its lifecycle and support. As a result, its performance is suboptimal due to natural degradation over time,” Kisembo explained.
West Budama North East MP, Hon. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo, called on Parliament to allocate sufficient resources to ensure the EC can conduct free and fair elections.
“I believe we have failed the nation. The responsibility falls on us to properly fund the EC. How did we allow them to reach such a desperate state, turning them into a dumping ground for outdated resources?” Odoi-Oywelowo questioned.
Busiro East MP, Hon. Medard Sseggona, echoed previous calls from legislators for the EC to extend the voter register update deadline.
“The EC Chair acknowledges that some days were lost due to various challenges. As of yesterday, these issues were still being addressed, yet they insist there will be no extension,” Sseggona argued.
Byabakama, however, stated that it is too soon to determine whether an extension is necessary.
“There are still 11 days remaining before the exercise concludes, and we are continuously evaluating the situation. It would be premature to make a decision now, but we will inform the nation if the need arises,” he said.
The voter register update began on 20 January 2025 and is scheduled to end on 10 February 2025.
