The number of registered voters in Uganda has increased to 19,925,574, up from 18,103,603 recorded in the 2020/2021 General Elections, according to the latest figures released by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The announcement was made by the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, during a press conference at the Electoral Commission offices earlier this week where he addressed the progress and challenges of the ongoing voter update exercise.
The increase surge followed the ongoing updating exercise which has since been extended for another seven days.
EC Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, while addressing the media, cited limited registration kits from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) as a major hurdle in the exercise.
However, despite these setbacks, the process has seen a remarkable turnout of new voters.
“In spite of the challenges faced since the commencement of the update exercise, as of today, 361,432 new voters have been added to the national voters register, while 292,021 applications for transfers have been made. This figure does not include the learners who were registered by NIRA and whose data is still being processed,” Byabakama revealed.
The extension is expected to give more Ugandans the opportunity to register, especially those who have faced difficulties accessing registration centers.
Byabakama emphasized that the voters register has been consistently updated through voter registration exercises in electoral areas where the EC has conducted Parliamentary and Local Government Council by-elections.
Additionally, voter details have been refined by extracting information from citizens registered by NIRA, ensuring their voting particulars are in line with their parish of origin or residence.
The increase in registered voters signals growing political participation ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
With the number now nearing 20 million, Uganda’s electoral process is witnessing heightened engagement, particularly from young voters and first time registrants.
