Entebbe – The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has confirmed the arrival of presidential and parliamentary ballot papers ahead of the 2026 General Election.
At least 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers arrived on Christmas Eve, a delivery witnessed by representatives of presidential candidates, political parties, accredited election observers, and members of the media. Parliamentary ballot papers are expected to arrive by Christmas Day.
Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, said, “The delivery of these ballot papers is a critical step in ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and credible.”
Ballot papers for Directly Elected Members of Parliament are also being received at Entebbe International Airport. The EC is simultaneously conducting training and sensitisation on the use of biometric voter verification (BVV) machines to guarantee that every voter is accurately identified at polling stations.
Paul Bukenya of the EC emphasised, “Every voter in the upcoming 2026 elections must be biometrically verified. This is crucial to enhancing the integrity of our elections.”
Opposition leader Norbert Mao also highlighted legal safeguards, noting, “Anybody, including Presiding Officers, who tampers with the BVV Kit will go to jail,” under the recently signed Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations, 2025.
With ballot papers now in the country and biometric preparations underway, the Electoral Commission says it remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and a credible election process for all Ugandans.
