As Uganda approaches its national elections, concerns are mounting over transparency and credibility following the decision by the Electoral Commission to withhold the legally mandated hard-copy voters’ register.

In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Human Rights Defenders says that with just nine days remaining, candidates, parties, and election observers say they have been left with little time to prepare adequately.

“With just 9 days to the election, Uganda’s Electoral Commission has not released the legally mandated hard-copy voters register to the public. The law is clear. What’s the Commission hiding?” Human Rights Defenders Uganda said.

The human rights group says withholding the voters’ register undermines the credibility of the entire process and raises serious questions about electoral fairness. Concerns include potential ghost voters, missing names, and inflated numbers, all of which could compromise the election outcome.

“By withholding the register, Uganda Electoral Commission has undercut its own credibility, stranded candidates, parties, and observers without time to prepare, and left unanswered concerns about mass irregularities in the rolls, ghost voters, missing names, and inflated numbers. A closed register, late in the process, is not a technical lapse; it is a recipe for disputed results and alleged electoral fraud. When the rules are ignored, trust collapses, and elections lose their meaning,” the statement added.

Human Rights Defenders say a delayed release of the voters’ roll risks creating confusion and suspicion among the electorate, particularly in a country where political tensions are already high. The association warn that without a transparent process, any dispute over results could escalate into protests or unrest, undermining the stability of Uganda’s democratic institutions.

Human Rights Defenders Uganda urges the Electoral Commission to release the register to restore confidence in the election and ensure that all stakeholders, candidates, parties, observers, and voters have the tools necessary to participate fairly. The general election willbe held on Thursday, January 15, 2026.