The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has initiated a nationwide identification and mapping exercise for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on the National Voters Register (NVR).
The exercise is set to run from November 4 to November 13, 2024 with an aim of inclusive participation of PWDs in the upcoming 2025/2026 general elections.
Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson EC has emphasized the necessity of the exercise stating, “Our mandate under the Constitution is to ensure that every Ugandan, including those with disabilities, has equal and unhindered access to participate in the electoral process.”
Byabakama said that the exercise aims to address ongoing challenges faced by the EC in adequately capturing data about the PWD community across Uganda, including information on their locations, types of disabilities, and literacy levels.
“Unfortunately, in previous elections, we have lacked adequate information on PWDs in terms of their numbers, locations, and the types of disabilities. This gap has impacted our ability to create inclusive voting facilities and processes,” Byabakama noted.
According to him, this comprehensive identification exercise is vital for ensuring that the Commission can tailor the electoral process to meet the needs of PWDs.
The identification process will categorize PWDs based on various types of disabilities, including physical, visual, hearing, mental, and multiple disabilities.
Byabakama explained, “These categories are essential for us to understand the specific needs of each group. For example, those with visual or hearing impairments may require customized voter education materials to participate effectively in the elections.”
The Commission will work alongside Local Council 1 (LC1) representatives at the village level to conduct this exercise.
“Our Parish Supervisors will collaborate with LC1 Chairpersons to ensure accurate identification and verification. This will include holding village meetings where PWDs can confirm or update their details on the Voters Register. During these meetings, any complaints or issues regarding registration will be documented for follow-up action,” he said.
Justice Byabakama urged PWDs to take full advantage of this exercise, particularly those who recently applied for National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) registration.
“This is a unique opportunity for all PWDs who wish to vote in the upcoming elections to confirm their inclusion on the National Voters Register,” he stated.
He also called upon the general public to support the exercise, stressing the importance of community involvement.
The exercise will produce a verified PWD register, which the EC will use to plan accessible polling stations and develop inclusive voter education materials.
“By the end of this exercise, we aim to have a credible register that reflects every village and parish across Uganda,” Byabakama said.
He added that this register will enable the Commission to plan more accessible polling locations, particularly for those with physical disabilities.
Byabakama appealed to all stakeholders and communities to support the initiative, urging, “Identifying PWDs at the village level is a fundamental step toward inclusivity and fairness in our democratic process. We encourage all citizens to assist in creating a reliable register to ensure that no one is left behind.”
The EC urges all Ugandans to support the effort, ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote in an environment that respects their needs.
