The government has announced that outstanding elections in a number of districts and sub-counties will be held on February 17, bringing the current electoral cycle closer to completion.
Speaking to journalists after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe, ICT and National Guidance Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the exercise will cover areas where voting was not finalized.
“There are a few districts and sub-counties where the electoral process was not concluded,” Baryomunsi said. “Those residual polls will take place on February 17 to ensure the entire process is completed in the affected areas.”
Uganda has already conducted presidential, parliamentary and several local government elections at district and sub-county levels. The remaining vote will pave the way for Local Council One (LC1) elections, which will officially mark the end of the current election cycle.
According to Dr. Baryomunsi, LC1 elections had earlier been deferred to maintain consistency within the broader electoral timetable.
“When the LC1 polls became due, government opted to adjust them legally so they could align with the general election calendar,” he explained. “We wanted to avoid holding them midterm in a way that would disrupt the established cycle.”
He noted that the Electoral Commission is in the final stages of preparation and will soon communicate the roadmap for the LC1 elections. Cabinet, he added, has already reviewed the budgetary implications for the exercise.
The minister called on political parties and aspiring candidates to use the remaining time to prepare adequately. “Political organizations should now put their house in order and identify candidates who will participate in the upcoming polls,” he said.
On the security situation, Dr. Baryomunsi said previous elections were largely peaceful nationwide. He observed that voting was successfully conducted across all regions of the country, from Karamoja and West Nile to Kigezi and Bukedi.
“We are confident that the remaining elections will also be conducted in a calm and orderly environment,” he said.
He also referenced earlier results showing that President Museveni won more than 71 percent of the presidential vote, while the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secured the majority of seats in Parliament. Final tallies for local government elections are still being consolidated.