KAMPALA, Uganda– The Electoral Commission has issued a firm warning against unlawful participation in today’s village-level elections for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), part of the ongoing Special Interest Group (SIG) electoral process.
According to the Commission, multiple complaints and reports have emerged from across the country indicating that individuals who are not persons with disabilities are attempting to participate in these elections—either as voters or as candidates. The Commission emphasized that this is a violation of electoral laws and will be met with legal action.
Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi called on the public to respect the integrity of the electoral process, which is specifically reserved for persons with disabilities who appear on the official PWD voters’ register.
“We would like to caution anyone who is considering, planning, or thinking about taking part in these elections for PWD village committees without being registered as a person with a disability to refrain from such actions,” Mucunguzi stated.
He further warned:
“Any individual who attempts to vote or contest in these elections without being on the PWD register is committing an offense and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
Today’s elections are being conducted at the village level using the lining-up method, where voters indicate their choice by physically lining up behind their preferred candidate, agent, portrait, or symbol. Key positions being contested include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, and Treasurer.
Mucunguzi urged all eligible PWD voters—Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above who are registered on both the national voters’ register and the PWD-specific register—to actively participate in choosing their grassroots leaders.
“We urge all citizens who meet the eligibility criteria to come out in full force and participate in forming their village PWD committees today,” he appealed.
The Commission reiterated that unauthorized involvement in these elections not only breaches the law but also undermines the rightful representation of persons with disabilities in national governance.
This warning comes amid rising concerns about irregularities in the SIG electoral process. A few weeks ago, the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) raised alarm over cases of individuals fraudulently claiming disability status to gain access to SIG elections. The organization called on the Electoral Commission to take decisive action to preserve the credibility of elections specifically designed to serve persons with disabilities.
The Commission has responded by intensifying its oversight and committing to uphold the transparency and fairness of the PWD electoral process.
