The Electoral Commission has started sending voting materials to all 146 districts ahead of Thursday’s General Election. EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama flagged off the first shipments from the commission’s warehouse in Ntinda, near Kampala. Importantly, security teams now escort every consignment directly to district offices to ensure safety and integrity.
Initially, deliveries went to Mitooma, Hoima City, Yumbe, Mbale, Masaka City, Luweero, Bundibugyo, Bukedea, Dokolo, Wakiso, and Namayingo. These districts were selected first because they met both logistical and security readiness criteria. Each shipment includes ballot papers for presidential, parliamentary, and local races, as well as biometric voter verification machines. Consequently, this targeted rollout helps the EC manage risks effectively.
Moreover, every set of voting materials belongs exclusively to one polling station. This strict one-to-one assignment ensures full accountability throughout the process. “If a kit goes missing, only that polling station suffers,” Justice Byabakama explained. Therefore, no station can borrow or substitute another’s kit—eliminating confusion and reducing opportunities for fraud.
Rather than delivering everything at once, the EC uses a phased rollout. This approach not only eases pressure on staff and transport but also allows quicker responses to unexpected delays. As a result, districts receive their voting materials on different days, based on local conditions and security assessments. In turn, this flexibility strengthens overall operational control.
Once delivered, all items remain securely stored in district EC offices until election morning. Then—and only then—will officials issue them directly to polling stations. Meanwhile, security forces guard both transit routes and storage facilities around the clock. Because of these measures, unauthorized access becomes highly unlikely, which further builds public confidence.
Ballot papers recently arrived from Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company in Dubai. After their arrival, the EC verified every batch thoroughly. Fortunately, no shortages, printing errors, or quality issues were found. All materials passed rigorous checks before packing, ensuring reliability on polling day.
Justice Byabakama assured voters and political candidates that the voting materials will reach every station on time. He emphasized that the commission remains neutral and strictly follows legal procedures. Accordingly, this transparency aims to reduce pre-election tensions and reinforce trust in the process.
Uganda will elect leaders at national, municipal, and local levels this week. The secure delivery of voting materials is essential for fair and inclusive participation. Since every ballot and machine is tracked from warehouse to polling booth, the system safeguards the integrity of each vote. Ultimately, this traceability upholds democratic principles.
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