Info

Uganda

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Boundary Delimitation

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies

Question:	Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Uganda shall be divided into as many constituencies for the purpose of election of members of Parliament as Parliament may prescribe; and each constituency shall be represented by one member of Parliament.
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 63:1.
Verified:	2009/09/04

BD003

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Question:	On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):	a. "Equality" of population b. Respecting natural barriers d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries g. Other
Comments:	The Constitution sets provisions for constituency boundaries to be such that the number of inhabitants in the constituency is, as nearly as possible, equal to the population quota. It may be greater or less than the population quota in order to take account of means of communication, geographical features, density of population, area and boundaries of districts.
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 63: 2-7.
Verified:	2009/09/04

BD005

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Question:	The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):	e. Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Comments:	One of the functions of the Electoral Commission is to "demarcate constituencies in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution."
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 61c. The Electoral Commission Act
Verified:	2009/09/04

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Electoral Systems

ES001

Head of State

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	a. Head of State is the Head of Government c. Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments:	A candidate shall not be declared elected as President unless the number of votes cast in favour of that candidate at the Presidential election is more than fifty percent of valid votes cast at the election.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 98:1 & 103:1-6
Verified:	2009/09/07

ES002

Head of Government

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	b. Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments:	There shall be a President of Uganda who shall be the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces and the Fountain of Honour.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 98:1
Verified:	2009/09/07

ES003

President

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art.98
Verified:	2009/09/07

ES004

Number of Chambers

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	a. One chamber
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 77-78 IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2329_A.htm
Verified:	2009/09/07

ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:	Parliament shall consist of members directly elected to represent constituencies; one woman representative for each district; such numbers of representatives of the army, youth, workers, persons with disabilities and other
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 78; 81 International IDEA: Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide: http://www.idea.int/esd/world.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/07

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Legislative Framework

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution b. Separate legislation d. Regulations or administrative rules
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 60-68; 103 The Parliamentary Elections Act 2005 Parliamentary Elections Special Interest Groups Regulations, No.31 of 2001. Presidential Elections Act 2000 Local Government Act, No.3 of 1997 as amended by Act, No.10 of 2001.
Verified:	2009/09/07

LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections b. Regional elections c. Local elections d. Referendums
Comments:
Source:	Constitution, art. 60-68. (1995) Parliamentary Elections Act (2005) Presidential Elections Act (2000) Local Government Act 1997 (amended by Act No. 10, 2001)
Verified:	2009/09/07

LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:	Every citizen of 18 years of age or above has a right (but not an obligation) to vote.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 59
Verified:	2009/09/07

LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary b. EMB
Comments:	One of the functions of the Electoral Commission is to hear and determine election complaints or any irregularities with any aspect of the electoral process at any stage. Any person who is aggrieved by the Commission decisions in regards to the election complaints may then appeal to the High Court. All election petitions are filed in the High Court. In regards to the presidential elections, the Constitution holds that "any aggrieved candidate may petition the Supreme Court for an order that a candidate declared by the Electoral Commission elected as President was not validly elected."
Source:	Electoral Commission Act, art. 15. Constitution of Uganda, art. 61f, 64 & 104:1. Parliamentary Elections Act (2005), art. 60
Verified:	2009/09/07

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Electoral Management

EM001

Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:

Name of Institution: The Electoral Commission
Website Address: http://www.ec.or.ug/index.html

Source

No Source

Verified

2009/11/17

(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)

EM002

Responsibility of national EMB

Question:	Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):	a. National level b. Regional level c. Local level
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 61 Electoral Commission Act, art. 12
Verified:	2009/09/08

EM004

EMB budget determined by

Question:	The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):	d. A national government department g. Other
Comments:	Parliament shall ensure that adequate resources and facilities are provided to the commission to enable it to perform its functions effectively. The Commission shall be a self-accounting institution and shall deal directly with the Ministry responsible for finance on matters relating to its finances. All funds of the commission shall be administered and controlled by the secretary who shall be the accounting officer in accordance with the Public Finance Act. All monies required to defray all expenses that may be incurred in the discharge of the functions of the commission or in carrying out the purposes of the Act [Electoral Commission Act] are charged on the Consolidated Fund. The funds of the commission may, with the prior approval of the Minister responsible for finance, include grants and donations from sources within or outside Uganda to enable the commission to discharge its functions.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 66 Electoral Commission Act, art. 9
Verified:	2009/09/07

EM005

EMB expenditures controlled by

Question:	The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):	d. A national government department g. Other
Comments:	Parliament shall ensure that adequate resources and facilities are provided to the commission to enable it to perform its functions effectively. The Commission shall be a self-accounting institution and shall deal directly with the Ministry responsible for finance on matters relating to its finances. All funds of the commission shall be administered and controlled by the secretary who shall be the accounting officer in accordance with the Public Finance Act. All monies required to defray all expenses that may be incurred in the discharge of the functions of the commission or in carrying out the purposes of the Act [Electoral Commission Act] are charged on the Consolidated Fund. The funds of the commission may, with the prior approval of the Minister responsible for finance, include grants and donations from sources within or outside Uganda to enable the commission to discharge its functions.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 66 Electoral Commission Act, art. 9
Verified:	2009/09/08

EM006

Term of EMB members

Question:	The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:	b. For a specified number of years
Comments:	The members of the Commission shall hold office for 7 years, and their appointment may be renewed for one term only.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 60:3.
Verified:	2009/09/08

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Voter Education

VE001

Information campaigns performed by

Question:	Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):	a. National Electoral Management Body g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments:	One of the functions of the Electoral Commission established in the Constitution is to formulate and implement civic educational programmes relating to elections. At the same time, the Commission has a power to accredit any nonpartisan individual, group of individuals or an institution or association to carry out voter education subject to guidelines determined by the commission and published in the Gazette...
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 61g. Electoral Commission Act, art. 12:1g&i.
Verified:	2009/09/08

VE002

Frequency of voter education programs

Question:	At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:	a. Continuously
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Commission Act, art. 12:1g Electoral Commission of Uganda: "Voter Education and Training", http://www.ec.or.ug/docs/Voter%20Education%20Department.pdf
Verified:	2009/09/08

VE003

National civic education

Question:	Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Commission Act, art. 12:1g. Electoral Commission of Uganda: "Voter Education and Training", http://www.ec.or.ug/docs/Voter%20Education%20Department.pdf
Verified:	2009/09/08

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Voter Registration

VR001

Voting age

Question:	What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:	c. 18
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 59:1.
Verified:	2009/09/08

VR002

Other voting requirements

Question:	Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Citizenship
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 59 Electoral Commission Act, art. 19:1
Verified:	2009/09/08

VR004

Body responsible for voter registration

Question:	Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:	d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments:	The Electoral Commission is responsible for compiling, maintaining, revising and updating the voters register on a continuous basis.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 61:e. Electoral Commission Act, art. 18:1
Verified:	2009/09/08

VR008

Compulsory voter registration

Question:	Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	It is the duty of every citizen of Uganda of 18 years of age or above to register as a voter for public elections and referenda. The State shall take all necessary steps to ensure that all citizens qualified to vote register and exercise their right to vote. Any person who is a citizen of Uganda and is 18 years of age or above shall apply to be registered as a voter in a parish or ward where the person originates from or resides.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 59:2-3 Electoral Commission Act, art. 19
Verified:	2009/09/08

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Voting Operations

VO003

Electors vote at

Question:	Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):	a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Commission Act, 33 Parliamentary Elections Act (2005), art. 29-30
Verified:	2009/09/08

VO004

Voting outside the country is permitted for

Question:	Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):	a. Outside the country voting is not permitted
Comments:	Even though voting outside the country is not permitted, the Constitution sets a provision stating that the: Parliament may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, enact such laws as may be necessary for the purposes of this Chapter, including laws for the registration of voters, the conduct of public elections and referenda and, where necessary, making provision for voting by proxy.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 76 Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook (2007): http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/08

VO005

Locations for voting outside of the country

Question:	If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):	h. Not applicable
Comments:	Voting outside the country is not permitted.
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/08

VO011

Voting method

Question:	How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):	a. Manually marking of ballots
Comments:	Voters fix a tick with a pen or a mark with a thumb print in the space provided in the box against the picture of the candidate of their choice.
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act,(2005), art. 30:5b
Verified:	2009/09/08

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Parties and Candidates

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	b. Deposit requirement (specify amount) f. Other
Comments:	"Every political party or organization in Uganda shall be registered... and shall pay such fee as is payable under the Registration of Documents act." An application to the register of political parties is made by political parties and or organizations and directed towards the registrar general, accompanied by: - two copies of the constitution of the political party or organization duly signed by authorized officers of the political party or organization -a list of the full names and addresses of at least 50 members of the political party or organization from each of at least one third of all the districts of Uganda, being members ordinarily resident or registered as voters in the district - a full description of the identifying symbols, slogans and colors of the political party or organization, if any - registration fee
Source:	Political Parties and Organizations Act 2002, art. 6:1 & 7
Verified:	2009/09/08

PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship f. Registration h. Minimum level of education
Comments:	A person is qualified to be a member of Parliament if that person is a citizen of Uganda, 18 years of age or above, is a registered voter and has completed a minimum formal education of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent.
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 80 Parliamentary Elections Act, (2005). art. 11: 1d.
Verified:	2009/09/08

PC008

Independent candidates

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Uganda, art. 80 & 102.
Verified:	2009/09/08

PC012

Public funding of parties

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	d. Other
Comments:	No person shall use government or public resources in the activities of any political party or organization. However, the government may contribute funds or other resources towards the activities of political parties or organizations equally after their registration. The following shall not directly or indirectly make a contribution, donation, or loan whether in cash or kind in excess of the value of five thousand currency points within any period of 12 months, to funds held or to be held by or for the benefit of a political party or organization: a non-Ugandan citizen, a foreign government or diplomatic mission, a non-Ugandan, non-governmental organization registered in Uganda under the Non-Governmental organizations registration statute 1989. No political party or organization shall -demand or accept directly or indirectly any contribution, donation or loan in excess of the value of live five thousand currency points within any period of twelve months, from any organization specified above -demand or accept directly or indirectly any contribution, donation or loan in excess of the total value of fifty thousand currency points in any period of twelve months from any one or more of the sources referred to in subsection 1.
Source:	Political Parties and Organizations Act, art. 17:1-2 & 14
Verified:	2009/09/08

PC015

Basis of public funding

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	e. Other
Comments:	No person shall use government or public resources in the activities of any political party or organization. However, the government may contribute funds or other resources towards the activities of political parties or organizations equally after their registration.
Source:	Political Parties and Organizations Act, art. 17:1-2
Verified:	2009/09/08

PC017

Private funding of parties

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Every political party or organization shall maintain at its head or national office, an accurate and permanent record which shall be accessible to any member of the political party or organization consisting of the following: - any contribution, donation or pledge of contribution or donation whether in cash or in kind made by the founding members of the party or organization - a statement of its accounts, showing the sources of its funds and the name of any person who has contributed to the funds including contributions by persons who are not citizens of Uganda, membership dues paid, donations in cash or in kind and all the financial transactions of the political party or organization which are conducted through, by or with the head of national office of the political party or organization... The following shall not directly or indirectly make a contribution, donation, or loan whether in cash or kind in excess of the value of five thousand currency points within any period of 12 months, to funds held or to be held by or for the benefit of a political party or organization: a non-Ugandan citizen, a foreign government or diplomatic mission, a non-Ugandan, non-governmental organization registered in Uganda under the Non-Governmental organizations registration statute 1989. No political party or organization shall -demand or accept directly or indirectly any contribution, donation or loan in excess of the value of live five thousand currency points within any period of twelve months, from any organization specified above -demand or accept directly or indirectly any contribution, donation or loan in excess of the total value of fifty thousand currency points in any period of twelve months from any one or more of the sources referred to in subsection 1.
Source:	Political parties and Organizations Act 2002, art. 12:1a,b & 14
Verified:	2009/09/08

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Vote Counting

VC004

Voters are sorted/counted at

Question:	Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:	a. The polling stations
Comments:
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 47
Verified:	2009/09/21

VC011

Conditions for recount

Question:	Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):	c. Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions d. By request
Comments:	There are cases of mandatory recount where, after the official addition of the votes: there is an equality of votes between two or more candidates obtaining the highest number of votes or the number of votes separating the candidate receiving the highest number of votes and any other candidate is less than fifty the returning officer shall, if requested in writing by a candidate, a candidate's agent or a voter registered to vote in the constituency, in the presence of a senior police officer recount the votes after giving a written notice of the intention to recount to all interested parties. The law also allows any candidates to apply to the Chief Magistrate for a recount within 70 days after the date on which a returning officer has declared as elected the candidate who has obtained the highest number of votes.
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 54-55
Verified:	2009/09/21

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Media and Elections

ME037

Parties receive free broadcast time based on

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections c. Based on result of previous election
Comments:
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 22 & 100:2d.
Verified:	2007/09/21

ME059

Existence of televised debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act, (2005).sec 100(2d).
Verified:	2007/09/21

ME062

Blackout period for opinion polls

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	a. 1 day
Comments:	A campaign meeting shall not be held within twenty-four hours before polling day.
Source:	Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 20:5
Verified:	2009/09/21

ME080

Maximum amount for paid advertising

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/21

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Direct Democracy

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The constitution grants the right of recall, based on a petition as well as a right to demand referenda.
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 68, 74, 84, 255 & 260
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 260 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD004

Optional referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 74 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 84 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD007

Recalls (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 84
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD129

Binding referenda

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	a. Always binding
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD130

National referenda deal with

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 74, 255 & 260
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD131

Direct Democracy at sub-national level

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21