EC Holds Regional Conferences to Elect Non-Unionised Workers’ Delegates Ahead of 2026 Polls
The Electoral Commission (EC) has commenced regional conferences to elect representatives of non-unionised workers, a process officials say is crucial in shaping the Electoral College that will choose Members of Parliament for workers in the 2026 general elections.
The conferences, held on Monday, September 1, are taking place at four venues across the country: Jinja Senior Secondary School (Eastern), Acacia Country Inn in Mbarara (Western), Kyambogo College School in Kampala (Central), and Pauline Hotel in Lira (Northern).
According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, non-unionised workers are formally employed Ugandans who are on the national voters’ register but do not belong to any labour union.
“They are bona fide voters who, though not unionised, must have a voice in the election of workers’ representatives,” he explained.
The electoral exercise began at the sub-county level, where 10 delegates — at least three of them women — were selected to advance to district level.
Delegates then gathered at the regional centres to elect 10 representatives each, with a minimum of three women per region. By the end of Monday’s process, a total of 40 delegates will have been chosen.
“These 40 will join others nominated by registered labour unions to constitute the Electoral College that will elect MPs representing workers between January 12 and February 9, 2026,” Mucunguzi said.
The one-day conferences, running from morning to 4 p.m., include voter education, nominations, short campaigns and actual voting. The EC has cautioned participants to exercise discipline, avoid abusive language, and respect all rules of procedure.
“We ask all those gathered in the four centres to conduct themselves peacefully so that this exercise is carried out in a manner that gives pride to the electoral process,” Mucunguzi appealed.
The election of workers’ representatives is one of the many activities outlined in the Commission’s roadmap toward the 2026 general elections.
