The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as the polling date for Village (Local Council I) Chairperson elections across Uganda, ending years of uncertainty over the renewal of grassroots leadership mandates.
The Commission also announced that Parish (Local Council II) Chairperson elections will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The dates were announced by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi during a press briefing in Kampala on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Justice Byabakama said the elections had been delayed mainly due to funding challenges following the January 2026 general elections. He thanked the government for releasing funds that enabled the Commission to restart the process, including more than 56 billion shillings provided by the Ministry of Finance.
“We know that this programme has been long awaited, and we want to thank and appreciate the people of Uganda for the patience you have exhibited up to now,” Justice Byabakama said.
The Village Council elections will cover more than 71,000 villages across the country. The EC said recruitment of election officials will begin in late June, followed by verification and compilation of village voters’ registers from July 6 to 10.
Candidate nominations will take place from July 15 to 19, while campaigns will run from July 20 to 27 ahead of polling day.
Voting for LC I elections will be conducted through the lining-up method, with each village serving as a polling station.
Village chairpersons and their committees play a key role in local administration, including resolving community disputes, coordinating development activities, supporting local security structures, and linking citizens with higher levels of government.
Many LC I leaders have remained in office beyond their original term after the last nationwide village elections held in 2018.
Justice Byabakama urged eligible voters to participate in the voter register update and election activities, saying the Commission would conduct the polls in line with the law and under the multi-party political system.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty over whether the long-delayed grassroots elections would receive the funding required for implementation.
