The Electoral Commission (EC) has today commenced the next phase of elections for Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Committees, marking a critical milestone in the implementation of the 2025/2026 General Elections Roadmap.
The elections, which are being held at Sub-county, Town Council, and Municipal Division levels, will cater to three key constituencies: Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Youth.
According to the official schedule released by the Commission, polls for Older Persons Committees have kicked off today, Monday 14th July 2025.
Elections for PWDs Committees are slated for Wednesday 16th July, and Youth Committees will follow on Friday 18th July 2025.
While addressing the nation on Monday morning, Mr. Julius Mucunguzi, the Electoral Commission Spokesperson, provided clarity on the structure and purpose of these elections, emphasizing their legal foundation and civic importance.
“Starting today, the 14th of July 2025, the Electoral Commission is organizing special interest group elections at the level of sub-counties, also known as gombolola, or divisions across the country,” Mr. Mucunguzi said.
He explained that the sub-county elections will begin with Older Persons (those aged 60 and above), followed by Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday, and Youth elections on Friday.
Importantly, only those who were successfully elected to the parish-level committees in their respective areas are eligible to participate in these sub-county level polls. These parish-level committee members will convene within their respective sub-counties, towns, or divisions to elect representatives to the higher-level SIG Committees.
“These elections are conducted by lining up,” Mr. Mucunguzi elaborated. “Voters line up behind the candidate of their choice, or their candidate’s agent, portrait, or symbol.”
The spokesperson reaffirmed the Commission’s long-standing commitment to building inclusive representation from the village level all the way to the national level, culminating in the eventual election of Members of Parliament representing SIGs.
He emphasized that these processes are enshrined in the 1995 Constitution, which empowers citizens under Article 1 to exercise their sovereign right through regular elections.
Mr. Mucunguzi also delivered a strong appeal for decorum, urging all actors in the electoral process to maintain peace and respect throughout the week.
“These elections are not a do-or-die affair. They are a civil means for Ugandans to choose their leaders. Let us keep peace during these elections and remember that your vote is your voice,” he cautioned.
The EC outlined five key messages for all participants:
- Maintain peace throughout the elections.
- Be law-abiding and adhere to electoral regulations.
- Follow official Electoral Commission guidelines.
- Treat each other with mutual respect.
- Use digital and social media platforms responsibly; avoiding hate speech, misinformation, or disinformation.
The Electoral Commission reaffirmed its readiness to oversee a smooth electoral process and encouraged stakeholders to rely on verified information shared through its official channels.
This latest phase of SIGs elections reinforces Uganda’s broader commitment to participatory governance, ensuring that traditionally marginalized or underrepresented groups have a voice in shaping national decision-making processes.
For further updates, the public is advised to visit the EC website www.ec.or.ug, follow @UgandaEC on X (formerly Twitter), or contact the Commission directly via 0800200071 or info@ec.or.ug.
