The Electoral Commission of Uganda has officially postponed the Sub-County and other local-level conferences for the elections of delegates representing non-unionised workers. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, 5th August 2025, the elections will now take place on Monday, 18th August 2025. This change has been made in consultation with the Minister responsible for Workers, to allow adequate time for preparations and smooth coordination across the country.
These elections are part of a larger national process aimed at ensuring that non-unionised workers, who form a significant part of Uganda’s workforce, have representation in Parliament. According to Section 15 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap 177), the Minister responsible for Workers must register all non-unionised workers within their respective areas and bring them together at Sub-County, Town Council, or Division Headquarters for elections. The Electoral Commission is then responsible for organizing and managing the election process at all levels.
A non-unionised worker is defined by law as someone who performs work in exchange for payment, possesses a valid employment identification card, and is not a member of any labour union. To participate in these elections, a person must be a Ugandan citizen, at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and meet the non-unionised worker criteria.
The revised schedule now begins with the Sub-County Delegates Conference on Monday, 18th August 2025. At each Sub-County, City Division, or Municipal Division headquarters, ten delegates will be elected, and at least three of them must be women. These delegates will then represent their areas at the next level of the election process.
Following that, the City/District Delegates Conference will take place on Friday, 22nd August 2025, at each City or District Headquarters. Once again, ten delegates will be elected from each conference, with a minimum of three women, who will proceed to the regional level.
The process will then culminate in the Regional Delegates Conferences, which are scheduled for Monday, 25th August 2025. These will be held in Uganda’s four traditional regions: Northern, Eastern, Central, and Western. Each region will elect ten delegates, who will then join the unionised workers’ delegates to form the Electoral College. This Electoral College will be responsible for electing Members of Parliament representing workers. The final national election for these MPs is expected to be held between 12th January and 9th February 2026, on dates to be announced by the Electoral Commission.
The Commission has laid out a simple and inclusive voting procedure. All conferences will begin at 7:00am. Nominations will be done orally, with one proposer and two seconders for each candidate. Voting will be by lining up behind the preferred candidate, starting with the selection of the three women delegates. It’s important to note that those elected at each level will not hold specific offices like Chairperson or Secretary. They will serve only as delegates for their respective levels.
The Electoral Commission is calling on all eligible non-unionised workers to come out in large numbers and participate in this important democratic exercise. It is a unique opportunity for non-unionised workers to have their voices heard and take part in the leadership selection process that directly affects their representation at the national level. Regional Election Officers, Returning Officers, and Community Development Officers have also been asked to help publicize this information and ensure it reaches all concerned parties.
This election is more than a legal requirement—it is a chance for Uganda’s non-unionised workers to shape their future. By participating in these elections, workers not only exercise their constitutional rights but also contribute meaningfully to national development.
