The Electoral Commission (EC) has warned candidates, agents and supporters contesting in the Local Council I (LC1) chairperson elections against violating campaign guidelines, engaging in violence or campaigning beyond the official deadline.
The warning was issued by Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi as campaigns for LC1 candidates officially conclude today, Monday, July 27, 2026, ahead of polling scheduled for Tuesday, July 28.
Mucunguzi said all campaign activities must end at 6:00 p.m., stressing that no candidate or supporter should continue canvassing for votes after the deadline.
“The Commission would like to inform all of you that campaigns end at 6 p.m. today, the 27th of July, 2026. No candidate, agent or supporter should continue campaigning beyond that time,” Mucunguzi said.
He reminded candidates that campaigns are only permitted within the villages where they are contesting and warned against organizing campaign processions into neighboring villages, saying such activities could trigger unnecessary confrontations.
The Commission also reiterated that campaign activities are prohibited in schools, hospitals and markets, urging all contestants to comply with the electoral guidelines.
Mucunguzi appealed to candidates and their supporters to maintain peace during the final hours of campaigning and on polling day, emphasizing that political competition should not create hostility among community members.
“Peace is a very important prerequisite for a credible, free and fair election. Differences in political preference should not become grounds for enmity,” he said.
The Electoral Commission also welcomed the government’s decision to declare Tuesday, July 28, 2026, a public holiday to allow eligible voters to participate in the elections.
Mucunguzi called on registered voters in Uganda’s more than 71,000 villages to turn up early at their designated polling stations to elect LC1 chairpersons and participate in constituting village leadership structures.
The Commission urged all stakeholders to respect the law, accept the election results peacefully, and ensure that the grassroots elections are conducted in a calm, orderly and transparent manner.
