Kampala, Uganda – The Electoral Commission of Uganda has extended the General Update of the National Voters Register by seven days, following high demand and logistical challenges.
Initially set to conclude on February 10, 2025, the exercise will now run until February 17, 2025.
The extension follows appeals from key stakeholders, including political leaders and civil society organizations, who cited long queues, limited registration kits and technical malfunctions that slowed down the process.
According to the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the exercise is aimed at enabling eligible Ugandans aged 18 and above to register as voters, apply for transfers to new voting locations and verify their registration details.
Since the exercise began on January 20, 2025, over 361,432 new voters have been added to the National Voters Register, while 292,021 have applied for transfers. This has raised the total number of registered voters to 19,925,574.
However, challenges such as the limited number of National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) registration kits and frequent breakdowns have slowed the process.
“Due to the overwhelming number of applicants and challenges faced, we have decided to extend the exercise to allow more eligible voters to register,” said Justice Byabakama.
During the extension period, voter registration and updates will continue at designated centers from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, including weekends.
The Commission has reiterated that this is not a fresh registration but an opportunity for those who missed the initial phase to participate in the upcoming 2025/2026 General Elections.
Registered voters seeking to transfer must present proof of residence or origin within their new polling area.
Additionally, voters can verify their registration details online via the Electoral Commission’s website.
The Commission has urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of this extension, emphasizing that there will be no further extensions after February 17, 2025.
