As Uganda moves closer to the 15 January 2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has detailed the security chain governing ballot papers — from printing abroad to polling stations across the country.
According to EC officials, ballot papers are printed under internationally supervised conditions, with strict controls on quantities, serialisation, and spoilage. Once printed, ballots are sealed and transported to Uganda under diplomatic and aviation security protocols before being handed over to national security agencies upon arrival.
Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama explained that once ballots reach Uganda, custody shifts exclusively to the EC, with access restricted to authorised personnel and monitored round-the-clock.
“At no point are ballot papers handled by individuals outside the Electoral Commission framework,” Byabakama said.
“Every movement is documented, witnessed, and accounted for.”
At EC warehouses, ballots are stored in secured facilities fitted with CCTV surveillance, access logs, and armed guards. Each package is matched to a specific polling station, meaning excess ballots cannot be redistributed arbitrarily without detection.
On dispatch days, sealed ballot boxes and papers are transported under joint escort arrangements, involving EC logistics teams and security agencies, to regional and district stores. Presiding officers collect materials shortly before polling day and are personally accountable for their custody until counting is completed.
The Commission emphasized that any attempt to interfere with ballot materials constitutes a serious electoral offence punishable under Ugandan law.
This security framework, the EC says, is designed to protect the integrity of the vote and reinforce public trust in the electoral process.
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