By KT Reporter
In a move aimed at facilitating widespread voter engagement, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has declared January 15 and 16, 2026, as national public holidays.
The declaration, issued under the authority of the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 174), seeks to enable Ugandan citizens to fully participate in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 15, according to the Electoral Commission.
The legal notice, signed by Museveni and dated January 8, 2026, invokes Section 2(2) of the Public Holidays Act, which empowers the president to designate additional public holidays beyond the standard list outlined in the legislation.
This provision allows for such declarations in the interest of public welfare, in this case, to remove work-related barriers that might hinder voting. The Act, originally enacted in 1965 and revised in 2000, defines public holidays as days when government offices, schools, and businesses typically close, emphasizing their role in national observance.
The two-day holiday extends the polling period, with voting set to occur on January 15, while January 16 may accommodate any extensions or logistical needs, such as vote counting or overflow voting in high-turnout areas.
Declaring public holidays on polling days is a common practice globally to enhance voter participation. When eligible voters are freed from work obligations, they are more likely to travel to polling stations, particularly in rural areas where distances to polling centers can be significant.
It also reduces the risk of voters being turned away due to time constraints, thereby promoting inclusivity and reinforcing the democratic principle that every eligible citizen should have the opportunity to vote.
With 21.6 million registered voters expected to cast ballots—up from 17.6 million in 2021—this measure underscores efforts to maintain or improve participation rates amid ongoing discussions about electoral integrity.
It is hoped that the holidays will allow additional time off work, which could help reverse the declining turnout observed in recent elections, especially in rural regions, where over 70 per cent of Ugandans reside.
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