The Electoral Commission (EC) has requested UGX62 billion from government to facilitate the construction of its new headquarters in Lubowa, Wakiso District, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve election management ahead of the 2031 general elections.
The revelation was made during presentation of the report on the Electoral Commission’s 2026/27 Ministerial Policy Statement by Hon. John Teira, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
According to the committee report, the proposed headquarters project is intended to enhance the Commission’s operational efficiency, coordination, and long-term preparedness for future electoral processes.
The planned facility in Lubowa is expected to centralize key operations of the Commission, which officials say has for years faced logistical and administrative limitations linked to inadequate office space and scattered departments.
The funding request comes at a time when government institutions are under increasing pressure to improve public service delivery while operating within a tightening fiscal environment marked by rising public expenditure and debt obligations.
If approved, the project would become one of the major infrastructure investments by the Electoral Commission ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The Commission has in previous elections faced criticism from political actors and election observers over logistical delays, management challenges, and operational inefficiencies, particularly during voter registration, results transmission, and polling day coordination.
Officials believe the establishment of a modern headquarters could help improve planning, data management, storage, communication systems, and coordination of nationwide electoral activities.
The request is now before Parliament for consideration as part of scrutiny of the Commission’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year.
Uganda is expected to hold its next general elections in 2031 following the recently concluded 2026 electoral cycle.
