Parliament has raised the red flag over the short timeline that the Electoral Commission has set to update voter registration, summoning the Attorney General’s office to give a full explanation. The legislators are concerned that the short time may lock many Ugandans out of registration in the 2026 general elections.

Opening the exercise on 20th January 2025 to close on 10th February 2025 only gave the citizenry a record 20 days, thus a challenge. Lawmakers are particularly citing a lack of logistics and fewer biometric voter registration kits for voter listing at particular stations as perturbing aspects in reaching citizens in hard-to-reach regions.

In a heated session in parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, warned that such meager resources may lead to mass voter disenfranchisement. He urged the government to intervene immediately to prevent eligible voters from being left out of the democratic process.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said he was getting increasingly frustrated, as were the MPs and the public, and that every Ugandan has a right to vote. He ordered the Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi to appear before Parliament on Thursday this week to explain why the registration period was short and what alternatives are available.

In response, Kafuuzi admitted that the concerns were valid and assured lawmakers that the government would address the issue to ensure a fair and inclusive voter registration process. His statement signaled the government’s recognition of the problem and the need for urgent action.

The directive is an indication of Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that electoral rights are protected, and the country is prepared for the 2026 elections with a transparent and accessible voter registration process. As Ugandans await further clarification, more pressure is put on the Electoral Commission to extend the registration period, making it accessible to all voters.