KAMPALA/ENTEBBE – With less than three weeks until Uganda’s General Elections, the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) has commenced the critical logistical phase of receiving ballot papers, taking delivery of the first shipments at Entebbe International Airport.
Receipt of Initial Shipments
The first consignment of presidential ballot papers, comprising 193 pallets, arrived on the evening of Christmas Eve and was formally received by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama. A second shipment followed on Christmas Day. The ballot papers are being produced by Al Ghurair LLC, a Dubai-based printing company contracted for the task.
Justice Byabakama stated that the arrival marked the start of multiple shipments expected to continue entering the country until January 5, 2026. The materials are packed and labelled by district to facilitate secure handling and deployment to the nation’s 50,739 polling stations.
“The Commission approved the printing of a slightly higher number of ballot papers than the 21,681,491 registered voters… The additional ballots are intended to cover any that may be damaged or spoiled during voting,” explained Justice Byabakama.
Transparency Measures and Mixed Reactions
In a move to enhance transparency, the EC invited representatives from various political parties to witness the receipt and clearance of the materials at the airport’s cargo terminal. The process was conducted under tight security, with EC vehicles transporting the ballots to designated storage facilities.
While representatives from the ruling National Resistance Movement described the exercise as orderly and transparent, some opposition party officials expressed dissatisfaction. They cited limited access to independently verify the contents of the pallets against official packing lists.
In response, the Electoral Commission affirmed that all consignments arrived with their red security seals intact and showed no signs of tampering, reiterating its commitment to a credible process.
The Final Push Towards Election Day
The arrival of the ballots signals the move into the final, intense operational phase for the January 15, 2026, Presidential and Parliamentary elections. As shipments continue, the Commission has once again urged all political actors, candidates, and the public to maintain peace throughout the electoral period.
