Justice Simon Byabakama restarts local Uganda elections

Ballots finally get their turn as stalled local races snap back to life nationwide with strict rules, fixed hours, and a hard date that drags unfinished contests across the finish line.

Election date and locations

• The Electoral Commission locked February 4, 2026, for leftover local votes.
• Targets areas where ballots never happened or fizzled out.
• Reaches city, district, municipal, and sub-county zones.

Seats getting decided

• Justice Simon Byabakama flagged multiple local leadership slots.
• Chair roles get sorted across affected councils.
• Direct councillor seats move forward.
• Women and special groups gain representation.

Polling mechanics and hours

• Voting runs from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
• Happens at assigned polling points.
• Electoral college sites kick in where required.
• Counting fires up right after doors close.

Party and candidate limits

• The Electoral Commission capped station watchers per site.
• Parties send no more than two agents.
• Independents follow the same ceiling.

Conduct and legal tone

• Justice Simon Byabakama pushed calm participation.
• Voters are expected to follow election rules.
• Candidates held to legal guardrails.
• Officials tasked with keeping the process credible.