The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has issued a formal clarification dismissing claims of alleged irregularities in the National Voters Register following a post made on social media platform X by National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flag bearer, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
In his post, Mr. Kyagulanyi alleged that the Commission had deliberately registered the same individual multiple times in different polling stations to facilitate double voting, citing two Voter Location Slips belonging to persons named Matovu Ronald, with similar dates of birth.
According to the EC, a review of the cited documents confirmed that the Voter Location Slips belong to two distinct registered voters residing in different electoral areas. The Commission noted that the individuals are clearly identifiable through their unique photographs, despite sharing similar names and dates of birth — a common occurrence in Uganda’s population naming patterns. The Commission firmly described the allegations as false and misleading.
The EC stated that it will not publish the photographs or personal details of the individuals involved, citing compliance with national data protection and privacy laws. The Commission also urged the public and stakeholders to refrain from sharing voters’ personal information on social media without consent, warning that such actions violate privacy regulations.
Reassuring the public about measures to protect the integrity of the 2026 General Elections, the Commission reiterated that the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) has been enhanced to verify voters using fingerprints or facial recognition before a ballot is issued. Without successful verification, no ballot paper is released, reinforcing the principle of “one person, one vote.”
Mr. Kyagulanyi further alleged that the EC had failed to provide presidential candidates with the final National Voters Register. The Commission refuted this claim, explaining that in accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap. 176), all presidential candidates were issued a soft copy of the register immediately after nomination on 23rd and 24th September 2025. The law further requires issuance of a hard copy register two weeks before polling day, which the Commission confirmed is being finalized and will be delivered within the legally prescribed timeframe.
The Electoral Commission encouraged candidates and stakeholders to utilize formal communication channels to seek clarification and verify information regarding electoral processes, rather than relying on social media debate.
Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting the 2026 General Elections in a transparent, professional, and credible manner, pledging continued dedication to safeguarding the integrity of Uganda’s electoral process.
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