The Electoral Commission is utilizing the 2014 National Census information to replace the nationwide voters’ register forward of the 2026 normal elections.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama informed the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs that the 2024 nationwide census information isn’t appropriate for the continued replace of the voter register.
“Technically and formally, the info that we now have is of 2014. It is subsequently, on that foundation that we now have proceeded to conduct the demarcations of native governments,” Byabakama mentioned.
The Director accountable for Methodology and Statistical Coordination at Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Jame Muwonge defined that the one information out there is at district degree, saying that some parishes and sub counties are lacking information as a result of they’ve ongoing boundary disputes.
“The concern is the place to position this inhabitants. We are working with the Ministry of Local Government to ensure we’re guided however inside 5 months, this info can be out there,” he mentioned.
The Committee met the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Information Registration Authority (NIRA) and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on Thursday, 30 January 2025, after the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa tasked the committee to scrutinize an announcement by the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi on the replace of the nationwide voters’ register.
Hon. Mathias Mpuuga (NUP, Nyendo-Mukungwe Divison) solid doubt on the reliability of the 2014 nationwide census information, 12 years later.
“That for me could be very informing of points to return. May we all know at what stage the Electoral Commission will make use of the latest census information,” he mentioned including that, ’underneath the Constitution, the EC is remitted after each census to find out the inhabitants quarter for the nation and demarcate constituencies and now that we now have an train, might we learn when they may demarcate the most recent constituencies’.
The Members of Parliament (MPs) additional expressed concern over the defective gear used within the ongoing replace of the voter register saying that this may jeopardise the credibility of the ultimate information.
This was after NIRA’s Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo informed the legislators that the gear is out of date, having been procured in 2014.
“This gear is 11 years outdated; it’s at finish of life and finish of assist. The efficiency of this gear is subsequently, sub-optimal due to degradation over time,” she mentioned.
West Budama North East County MP, Hon. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo challenged Parliament to applicable satisfactory funds to allow the EC ship a free and truthful election.
“I feel we engaged in an enterprise of letting down the nation. The buck stops with us. It is our duty to fund the EC. At what level did we drive them to this determined state of affairs and switch them right into a dumping floor,” he mentioned.
Busiro County East MP, Hon. Medard Sseggona reiterated earlier calls from MPs for the EC to increase the deadline of updating the nationwide voters’ register.
“The Electoral Commission Chairman concedes that they misplaced some days, through which some challenges had been registered. As on the time of writing his response yesterday, they had been nonetheless addressing these challenges however they’ll nonetheless afford to say they won’t lengthen,” mentioned Sseggona.
Byabakama mentioned that it’s nonetheless early to decide on extension of the train.
“We nonetheless have 11 days to conclude the train and we’re nonetheless analysing the state of affairs. It is untimely to pronounce ourselves on the deadline. We will inform the nation when the necessity arises,” mentioned Byabakama.
The voter register replace commenced on 20 January 2025 and is predicted to finish on 10 February 2025.