Uganda is preparing for what promises to be a highly participatory 2026 General Election, with the Electoral Commission reporting a total of 21,681,491 registered voters. The Commission’s Chairperson announced the figures, highlighting a notable trend: female voters now make up 53 percent of the electorate, surpassing male voters, who constitute 47 percent.

“The Commission urges the above voters to turn up to exercise their right to vote and choose their leaders at all levels on the polling days,” the Chairperson stated during a press briefing.

This milestone comes after several key activities under the Electoral Commission’s 2025/2026 General Elections Roadmap, including the demarcation of local government electoral areas, reorganization of polling stations, updates to the National Voters Register, and the compilation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) registers.

To ensure voters can conveniently access their polling stations, the Commission will soon issue Voter Location Slips (VLS) across the country. “We are directing EC staff, especially the Parish Supervisors, under the supervision of Sub County Supervisors and District Election Administrators, to make sure that every voter gets his or her Voter Location Slip,” the Chairperson said.

The nationwide voter distribution spans 50,739 polling stations, covering 146 districts, 312 counties, 353 constituencies, 2,191 sub-counties, 10,717 parishes, and 71,214 villages.

Analysts say the high number of registered voters reflects growing public engagement and confidence in the electoral process. Election experts also note that the slightly higher proportion of female voters could influence campaigning strategies and voter outreach programs in the upcoming election season.

With election day approaching, the Electoral Commission is calling on citizens to exercise their right responsibly and peacefully, ensuring a credible and inclusive electoral process.