KAMPALA: As the 2026 general elections edge closer, the road map to the elections is becoming clearer each day. The Electoral Commission Uganda has revealed that it will need about Shs. 1 trillion to organize these elections at all levels.
While appearing before parliamentarians on the legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, they revealed how they are faced with a deficit of Shs. 960 billion in the financial year, 2024/25. This is very vital for the preparations for the general elections in 2026.
According to credible sources, only Shs. 150 billion out of the required Shs. 1.1 trillion has been availed so far by the Ministry of Finance. This has left a huge gap to fill yet time isn’t in their best interests.
Justice Simon Byabakama the Electoral Commission Uganda chairman was the one who led this delegation as they presented their budget estimation for the 2024/25 Financial Tear before the Parliamentary Committee this week.
Apparently, various undertakings risk being negatively affected by this financial shortfall. They include the reorganization of polling stations, education of voters, the demarcation of new constituencies, a compilation of overall registers plus other statutory necessities.
Additionally, this committee said that other basic services shouldn’t be overlooked to fill this deficit. From the Electoral Commission’s budget requirement, surplus funds are needed to different jobs. These include recruiting new workers since 10 more new cities were established since the last election. This will take about Shs. 1.6 shillings.
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Shs. 15.3 billion is needed for expected by-elections, and voter education will need an allocation of Shs 3.3 billion. There are also domestic arrears which need Shs 10.4 billion. Shs 9.3 billion for restructuring of the Electoral system is another necessity of the vital budgetary requirements.
Furthermore, the Electoral Commission Uganda officials pointed out how there are hurdles in the implementation of court rulings that are supposed to permit Ugandans in jail and those in the diaspora to take part in the general elections. This also complicated the Electoral preparations.
It should be noted that, Uganda goes into general elections after every 5 years and the last time they were held was in 2021 and Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni won the election. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who was a presidential hopeful came second and the rest followed.
