By KT Reporter
The Electoral Commission (EC) has postponed elections for non-unionized workers’ delegates at Sub-county, Town Council, and Division levels from July 11 to August 5, 2025. The postponement follows a formal request by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), which is working jointly with the EC to organize the polls. The change was communicated through an internal memo issued by the EC’s Acting Secretary and directed to departmental and unit heads.
The memo cited administrative adjustments and coordination challenges raised by the Gender Ministry as the primary reasons for the postponement. Under Section 15 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap 177), non-unionized workers are entitled to elect their representatives through a structured electoral process, beginning at the lower local government levels. Elected delegates then participate in District Workers’ Conferences, which contribute to the selection of national representatives for workers in Parliament.
Unlike unionized workers who are represented by registered trade unions and federations, non-unionized workers include casual laborers, freelancers, informal traders, and others not affiliated with any labor union. As Uganda’s informal sector continues to grow, integrating these workers into the political process is increasingly seen as a democratic imperative.
“The Ministry requested an adjustment to ensure broader participation and a more organized delegate selection process,” reads part of the internal communication. “There are logistical hurdles in convening non-unionized workers across hundreds of sub-counties, and this short postponement will help improve turnout and credibility.” Sources within the EC and MGLSD indicated that the extension is necessary to finalize the registration and verification of eligible participants, a complex process given the unstructured nature of informal employment.
Regional Election Officers and Returning Officers have been instructed to notify local stakeholders of the revised date and adjust operational plans accordingly. The EC stressed that the integrity of the process and its legal framework remain intact despite the shift in the timeline. Uganda’s Constitution provides for the representation of special interest groups in Parliament, including workers, youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the army. Workers occupy five designated parliamentary seats, filled through an electoral college that draws from both unionized and non-unionized groups.
For many non-unionized workers, this election represents a rare opportunity to engage with national governance structures and influence labor-related policy. However, past elections have been marred by limited awareness, low turnout, and weak mobilization. Civil society organizations have previously called for greater transparency and public education to ensure non-unionized workers understand their roles and rights in the electoral process.
With the new date set for August 5, both the EC and MGLSD are expected to intensify preparations over the next three weeks. Planned activities include updating participant registers, training election officers, and mobilizing eligible voters across the country. Formal guidelines and polling details are expected to be released in the coming days-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
