The second consignment of biometric kits for Uganda’s 2026 General Election arrived in the country yesterday, on November 29, 2025.
This arrival is the second batch of a total of 109,142 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) procured by the Electoral Commission (EC). The first consignment of 60,000 kits arrived at Entebbe International Airport on October 28, 2025.
The kits will be used at polling stations nationwide to verify voter identity using fingerprints and facial recognition, a measure intended to prevent issues like ballot stuffing and reinforce the principle of “one person, one vote”.
The Electoral Commission (EC) said the Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) will be deployed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and integrity at all polling stations across the country.
Justice Simon Byabakama, said thus , ” the Biometric Voter Verification Kits will help the presiding officer confirm the identity of each voter by matching fingerprints and facial data to the details on the Voters Register. This ensures that only registered voters participate and that no person votes more than once, thereby upholding the One-Man/Woman-One Vote principle”.
“These improved kits will significantly enhance the credibility of the electoral process, giving the public greater confidence that every vote cast is legitimate and verifiable,” Byabakama added.
To support the rollout, the EC has started the recruitment of staff who will operate the machines on polling day. 50,739 operators—one for each polling station—are being onboarded, along with 1,050 trainers who will train them.
Additionally, the Commission has begun training technical teams who will troubleshoot and support the devices throughout the polling period.
The EC also revealed plans to conduct a nationwide public demonstration of the biometric system. Political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, media, and election observers will be taken through hands-on sessions showcasing how the kits operate.
This exercise is aimed at promoting transparency and building public trust in the technology.
“We want every stakeholder to fully understand how these systems work, because this transparency is essential for confidence in the election results,” Byabakama added.
The EC will recruit and 1,000 temporary staff as election officers and given skills to handle the biometric gadgets that will be deployed for the nationwide exercise .
Byabakama warned candaites against tribal politics and use of inciting language and or hate speech noting that ,:“ This is not fair and does not portray the qualities of a good leader.”
Byabakama said the EC will issue updated voter registers and campaign guidelines in the coming weeks as part of its final preparations.
The EC has also commenced printing of ballot papers for members of parliament .
