The Electoral Commission (EC) has formally issued the programme for the conduct of elections of delegates representing non-unionised workers, in line with the Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections.
According to the EC, a non-unionised worker is defined as a person who performs services in exchange for remuneration, possesses a valid employment identity card, and is not a member of any labour union. These workers are entitled to participate in the election of their representatives at various administrative levels, culminating in the election of Members of Parliament representing workers.
The process will begin on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, with the Sub-county Delegates’ Conferences held at each Sub-county, City Division, and Municipal Division headquarters. During this stage, non-unionised workers will nominate and elect ten (10) delegates, of whom at least three (3) must be women, to represent them at the City or District level.
The next phase will take place on Thursday, 7th August 2025, when City and District Non-unionised Workers’ Delegates’ Conferences will be held at each City or District headquarters from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Delegates at this level will again elect ten (10) representatives, with a mandatory inclusion of at least three (3) women, to participate in the Regional Delegates’ Conferences.
The Regional Conferences are scheduled for Monday, 25th August 2025, and will be held in the four traditional regions of Uganda—Northern, Eastern, Central, and Western. Each region will elect ten (10) delegates who will join delegates elected by unionised workers to form the National Electoral College for the election of Members of Parliament representing workers.
The Electoral Commission has further clarified that the National Delegates Conference to elect Workers’ Members of Parliament will be conducted between 12th January and 9th February 2026, on dates to be appointed by the Commission.
Eligibility Requirements
To register and participate in the Delegates’ Conferences, an individual must:
- Be a citizen of Uganda aged 18 years or above;
- Be a registered voter;
- Be a worker with a valid employment identity card;
- Not be a member of any labour union.
The nomination process shall be conducted orally, with a proposer and two seconders, and voting will be by lining up behind the preferred candidate. At each level, the selection of women delegates shall be conducted first, followed by the election of the remaining delegates.
The Electoral Commission emphasized that the ten (10) elected individuals at each level shall not hold executive positions such as Chairperson or Secretary, but shall serve purely as delegates to the next electoral level.
Each of the ten delegates elected at the regional level will participate in the National Delegates Conference that elects Members of Parliament representing workers at the national level.
Call to Action
The Electoral Commission has urged all eligible non-unionised workers to participate in the electoral process, highlighting the importance of inclusive representation in the governance of the country.
“The Commission calls on all eligible non-unionised workers to turn up in big numbers and exercise their constitutional right to elect their leaders at the above elective levels,” the statement reads in part.
The EC has encouraged local authorities, employers, and other stakeholders to facilitate and support the smooth implementation of this electoral programme in accordance with the law.
For further guidance, participants are advised to consult with Electoral Commission offices in their respective districts or refer to official communications issued by the Commission.
