ANT CALLS FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS AHEAD OF 2026 GENERAL ELECTIONS

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Yokasi Bihande (C) and other Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party elders addressing the press. Photo by Robert Musana

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general elections.

While addressing the press at their party offices convened by party elders, Hon. Yokasi Bihande asked Ugandans to exert pressure on the government to go through with the promised political reforms.

“Ugandans must exert pressure on the government to address the issue of electoral reforms; otherwise, the next elections will amount to to another political ritual,” Bihande said.

Bihande, who is also a former member of parliament for Bukonzo East constituency in Kasese district further said that the current government is not interested in electoral reforms because they are favored by the current status quo.

Yokasi Bihande, former member of parliament for Bukonzo East constituency in Kasese district

“The ruling party and the current regime do not want reforms because they put them out of power. That’s why they have been so reluctant to push for these reforms,” Bihande added.

The press conference comes at a time when key stakeholder groups, such as members of civil society, religious leaders, elders’ forums, and members of both the opposition and ruling parties, are preparing for the 2026 general elections.

After the 2021 elections, it was agreed upon by key stakeholders and election actors that some electoral reforms have to be done before Uganda participates in another national election.

Among the suggested electoral reforms were the involvement of Security personnel in an election need to be well stipulated and regulated, the Electoral Commission (EC) needs to be independent and have security of tenure, and the process of transmitting results needs to not only be electronic, but also be more transparent.

Additionally, all the declaration forms from the various polling stations must be thoroughly verified and accessible electronically to all members of the public through the EC web portal, among others.