Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has declared special public holidays ahead of the country’s highly anticipated Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. This move is aimed at ensuring maximum voter participation across the nation.
The announcement was made through an official government notice as Uganda prepares for a critical democratic exercise that will shape its political future.
President Museveni declared Thursday, January 15, 2026 and Friday, January 16, 2026, as public holidays to allow all eligible Ugandans to take part in voting for both Presidential and Parliamentary seats.
The government urged employers in both the public and private sectors to comply fully with the directive, warning that failure to do so would attract penalties under labor laws.
According to State House officials, the decision was reached following consultations with the Electoral Commission and security agencies. A
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He emphasized the need to give voters humble time and freedom to participate in the polls without work-related constraints. Authorities say the holidays will also ease logistical challenges, particularly for voters traveling to their ancestral homes to cast ballots.
The Electoral Commission welcomed the move, describing it as a significant boost to voter turnout and democratic inclusion.
Chairperson officials noted that the holidays will reduce congestion on polling days and give electoral officers adequate time to manage voting and tallying processes efficiently.
Security agencies have assured Ugandans of tight but professional security arrangements during the election period.
Police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) will be deployed nationwide to maintain peace and protect voters, polling officials, and electoral materials.As campaigns enter their final stretch, political parties have intensified their rallies and voter outreach efforts.
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