As Ugandan politics continues to take unpredictable turns, a new proposal is sparking attention across the country.
The government is considering a set of significant electoral reforms aimed at making the voting process more transparent and fair, just in time for the upcoming 2026 general elections.
The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao, recently confirmed that these reforms have already been presented to the Cabinet, and there are plans to bring them before Parliament soon.
Speaking to reporters in Kampala, Mao emphasized that these changes are a response to public demands, suggesting that the government is listening to citizens’ concerns about the current electoral system.
One of the major proposals is the introduction of mandatory electronic voting, which Minister Mao believes will build trust in the election process.
“We want to move to electronic voting. The system will use fingerprint and facial recognition, and if you’re not there in person, you can’t vote,” Mao explained.
He added that electronic voting would also help tally results faster and more securely, as each vote would be recorded immediately, reducing the chance of tampering while transporting ballots to tally centers.
Mao highlighted research showing that Ugandans have more faith in results announced at polling stations than those from tally centers. “Tallying electronically at polling stations will improve transparency,” he stressed.
In addition to electronic voting, the proposed reforms aim to address several issues in Uganda’s electoral process.
-Banning fundraising during campaigns to reduce the influence of money in elections.
-Regulating freedom of speech and assembly, setting rules for campaign conduct and public events.
-Introducing stricter rules for public servants, preventing them from engaging in political activities.
-Limiting military involvement in elections, a recurring concern in past election cycles.
While Minister Mao acknowledged some resistance to electronic voting within the Cabinet, he expressed optimism that a consensus would be reached, and the reforms will be presented to Parliament for debate and approval.
Mao also hinted at a possible review of the 1995 Constitution after the 2026 elections. “Next year marks 30 years of our Constitution, and we need to look at areas that require change,” he said.
The introduction of these reforms has been welcomed by stakeholders, who had raised concerns over the delay in improving Uganda’s electoral process.
The discussions have renewed hope for a more transparent and fair election ahead of 2026.
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