A joint election observation mission organized by the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has arrived in Uganda to monitor the General Elections scheduled for 15th January, 2026.
According to a statement released on Friday, 9th January 2026, the AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission (EOM) was deployed at the official invitation of the Government of Uganda and the Electoral Commission.
The mission is led by H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, and assisted by Ambassador Shemsudin Ahmed Roble, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, and Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene representing IGAD.
The team comprises 84 short-term observers (STOs) from 27 African countries, including Algeria, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
“The mission’s observers, including ambassadors, election officials, civil society actors, human rights and gender specialists, media professionals, and youth representatives, will be deployed across all regions of Uganda to monitor key election-day processes, including the opening of polling stations, voting, closing, counting, and tallying of results,” the statement said.
They will engage with state authorities, the Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society, media outlets, international representatives, and other accredited observer missions.
Their assessments will be guided by Uganda’s electoral laws, the OAU/AU Declaration on Democratic Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), and the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation.
A preliminary statement on the conduct of the elections will be released at a press conference in Kampala on 17th January, 2026, two days after polling and a comprehensive final report will follow within one month of the official announcement of results.
“To ensure transparency, we will issue a preliminary statement on 17th January and follow up with a full, comprehensive report within a month of the official results,” the mission stated.
The AU–COMESA–IGAD mission has urged all stakeholders to adhere to electoral laws and contribute to a peaceful and transparent electoral process that upholds the principles of democracy in Uganda.
The mission’s deployment underscores the regional commitment to supporting credible, transparent, and peaceful elections across the continent, supporting Africa’s collective efforts to strengthen democracy.
