The Electoral Commission (EC) has released the roadmap for the long-awaited LC 1 elections, with polling scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
According to the commission, the elections will be conducted in all 71,214 villages across Uganda under the multiparty political system.
The electoral process will begin with elections for village women committees on July 23.
EC officials said the women elections are being held first because the elected village woman leader is required by law to be part of the village leadership structure and must therefore participate in the LC1 elections.
The commission said participation in the village elections is free of charge. Any Ugandan citizen aged 18 years and above who is a resident of the village where they intend to contest is eligible to stand for office.
No academic qualifications are required for candidates seeking LC1 positions.
The EC also announced that LC2 elections will be held on August 10. Meanwhile, the display and verification of the voters’ register will take place from July 6 to July 10.
Speaking during the release of the roadmap, EC chairperson Simon Byabakama urged Ugandans to take keen interest in the village elections.
“It is important to have leaders at the village level. People who are not residents of a particular village should not be allowed to contest or vote in that village’s elections,” Byabakama said.
He noted that local council leaders play a critical role in maintaining security and community order.
“Local councils are the eyes and ears of security agencies. I encourage educated people to participate in these elections and offer themselves for leadership positions. Although academic qualifications are not required, this does not stop highly qualified individuals from contesting for village leadership positions,” he said.
Byabakama also revealed that the EC will deploy a large number of election officials to manage the exercise across the country.
He said each election official will receive a daily allowance of Shs 20,000 for their work during the elections.
