ENTEBBE. In the lead-up to January General Election , Uganda’s Electoral Commission has announced that it has received the first batch of Biometric Voter Verification Kits( BVVKs) .
Receiving the first consignment of 60,000 BVVKs at Entebbe International Airport on Monday night ,
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, said the kits will be used during the 2026 General Elections to biometrically verify every voter before polling.
“This milestone underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparency and integrity in the electoral process,” he said
Justice Byabakama said another consignment is expected in the country next month . This equipment comes at the time when Presidential candidates have entered a fourth week crisscrossing the country ,hunting for voters ahead of January 15 polls .
Incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni , 81 of National Resistance Movement is seeking a seventh elective term to extend his rule beyond 40 years . Museveni is fronting a campaign anchored on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and anti-corruption. In power since 1986, his leadership faces criticism over authoritarian tendencies and human rights concerns.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform (NUP) , who is challenging Museveni for the second time ,is a former pop star and is running on an anti-corruption and good governance platform. His campaign appeals strongly to Uganda’s youthful and urban electorate.
Nandala Mafabi of Forum for Democratic Change ( FDC), is a veteran opposition figure and is promising institutional accountability, transparency, and stronger democratic reforms while former FDC leader and retired Army commander Maj Gen. Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation ( ANT) advocates for national unity, inclusive development, and a peaceful transition of power.
On the other hand, former Kawempe South legislator Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga, is carrying the flag for the newly formed Common Man’s Party (CMP) with a spirited push for constitutional reforms, civil liberties, and accountable governance.
Also on the ballot is Robert Kasibante of National Peasants Party ( NPP), who is pushing for agrarian reforms, rural empowerment, and decentralization of agricultural policies, while his counterpart, Joseph Mabirizi of Conservative Party – CP), is campaigning on conservative values and traditional social policies.
The last candidate is Frank Kabinga Bulira of Revolutionary Peoples Party ( RPP), whose campaign is focused on political and economic reforms, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.