KAMPALA, 28 December 2025— The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed allegations of irregularities in the National Voters Register (NVR) raised by National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, flagging them as false and misleading.
In a statement dated December 28, 2025, the Commission addressed specific claims made by Mr. Kyagulanyi on the social media platform X regarding the registration of voters with identical names and the availability of the final register.
The Commission’s response follows a post by Mr. Kyagulanyi citing two Voter Location Slips (VLS) for individuals named Matovu Ronald who shared the same date of birth. He alleged that this was a deliberate move by the EC to facilitate multiple voting.
his social media post, Kyagulanyi claims some NRM bosses are manipulating the voters register by placed certain individuals at different polling stations within short distances from each other, such that they engage in multiple voting. He says, even much-touted Biometric Machines cannot be the solution to the perennial election rigging since such people’s details are already captured at various polling stations- hence, the machines would okay them to vote at different polling stations.
However, after a review, the Commission established that: The slips belong to two distinct individuals registered in different electoral areas.
The EC also says voters are clearly distinguishable by their unique photographs not only names, therefore, sharing a name and birth date does not indicate they are the same person.
However, the EC emphasized that it will not publish the private photographs or personal details of these voters due to data protection and privacy laws.
To reassure the public, Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon highlighted that the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) has been enhanced for the 2026 elections.
For instance: Voters must be verified via fingerprints or facial recognition before receiving a ballot. This system is designed to uphold the “one person, one vote” principle.
The EC also corrected claims that it had refused to provide presidential candidates with the final National Voters Register:
Soft Copies: In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Commission Act, soft copies were issued to all candidates immediately following nominations on September 23rd and 24th, 2025.
Hard Copies: The law requires hard copies to be provided two weeks before polling day. The Commission confirmed it is currently finalizing production and will meet this legal timeframe.
The EC Chairman, Justice Byabakama, urged all stakeholders to use established official channels for seeking clarification rather than spreading information the Commission characterized as “false and misleading”
