Uganda today concludes the village-level phase of its Special Interest Groups (SIGs) elections with the nationwide Youth Committee vote, marking a critical milestone on the Electoral Commission’s 2025/26 General Elections Roadmap.
Polling began at 9:00 am across the country and is expected to close at 4:00 pm, as eligible voters aged 18 to 30—whose names appear on the SIG Youth Register—cast ballots to choose their local youth representatives.
This election follows the successful and largely peaceful voting exercises for Older Persons on June 16 and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on June 17, according to the Electoral Commission (EC).
“This is a crucial moment for young people to step up, show up, and shape the future of our nation,” said EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, in a statement encouraging youth to participate actively and responsibly in the democratic process.
“Older Persons and PWD elections were peaceful with no major incidents. Youth, let’s keep calm during your village elections. Line up, vote, and promote unity,” Justice Byabakama added.
Zero Tolerance for Vigilantism
Amid rising political mobilisation across the country, Justice Byabakama issued a stern warning against the formation of illegal groups purporting to “guard votes,” saying such vigilante structures are “illegal and risky.”
“Forming vigilante groups like youth brigades is illegal. The Uganda Police Force is mandated to provide security during elections. Let’s avoid actions that cause tension,” he cautioned.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi while addresing the media
The EC reiterated that any form of violence, inflammatory speech, or misinformation—including fake news circulated online—will not be tolerated.
High Stakes for Youth Representation
Today’s Youth Elections are widely seen as pivotal in setting the tone for youth engagement in national politics, especially ahead of the 2026 general elections. With Uganda’s population being one of the youngest in the world, the influence of the youth vote is expected to be both significant and transformative.
In previous SIG elections, youth representation has been instrumental in surfacing grassroots concerns, particularly in areas such as employment, education, and access to public services. The ongoing vote is expected to elect thousands of youth leaders across villages, who will eventually feed into higher structures at parish, sub-county, district, and national levels.
The EC, under the 2025/26 roadmap, has prioritised inclusivity and civic participation across all Special Interest Groups. The Commission praised the active role played by cultural institutions, local councils, and civil society in mobilising voters during the earlier SIG elections.
Call for Calm and Patriotism
In a closing appeal, the Commission urged voters and candidates alike to uphold a spirit of peace, unity, and patriotism.
“Let the youth be the example. Peaceful elections today reflect our country’s maturity and commitment to inclusive governance,” Justice Byabakama noted.
Security remains tight at polling venues, with the Uganda Police Force and allied agencies deployed to ensure safety and compliance with electoral guidelines.
As Uganda wraps up the SIG village-level elections, attention will shift to the upcoming electoral stages—especially at the parish and district levels—where newly elected representatives are expected to continue advocating for the needs and voices of their constituencies.
