Summary:

• President Museveni has yet to appoint a new Electoral Commission for the 2026 general elections as the existing Commission’s 7-year term concludes, leaving the next steps pending the President’s decision.

President Museveni has not yet designated a new Electoral Commission to oversee the upcoming 2026 general elections, marking the conclusion of the existing Commission’s 7-year term. Paul Bukenya, the spokesperson for the Electoral Commission (EC), confirmed on Monday that the current Commission’s term had concluded, and the next steps are awaiting the decision of the appointing authority, the President.

Established under Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution, the Electoral Commission comprises the Chairman, Deputy Chairperson, and five other members appointed by the President with Parliament’s approval. The EC also includes a Secretariat led by the Secretary. The current members of the Commission, appointed by President Museveni on January 7, 2017, are Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama (Chairperson), Hajjat Aisha Lubega (Deputy Chairperson), Peter Emorut, Justine Ahabwe Mugabi, Stephen Tashobya, Sebaggala Mustapha Kigozi, and Nathaline Etomaru.

As of Tuesday, the EC had not received a contract renewal letter from the appointing authority, in accordance with the constitutional provision that allows members to serve a maximum of two seven-year terms. The term of office for the current Commission expired in January 2024. Byabakama’s team, which oversaw the 2021 general election, had also outlined the electoral roadmap for the 2026 elections.