Kampala, Uganda – July 8, 2025:
The Electoral Commission (EC) today held a high-level media briefing at Hotel Africana, aimed at equipping journalists with the knowledge needed to effectively cover Special Interest Group (SIG) elections.
The session brought together media practitioners from across Uganda, both in-person and via live stream, in a bid to improve the accuracy, professionalism, and context of electoral reporting related to SIGs—an often misunderstood but vital part of Uganda’s democratic process.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Julius Mucunguzi, spokesperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized the importance of training journalists on the unique characteristics of SIG elections.
“These elections follow different procedures from the general elections. Journalists must understand the legal and operational frameworks so they can report credibly,” he said.
> “If you don’t understand the subject, you cannot report on it professionally.”
The SIG elections cover six groups constitutionally entitled to representation: Youth, Women, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Workers, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Legal expert Hajj Abubaker Kayondo and EC official Mr. Ngabirano led a detailed walkthrough of the legal backing and logistical processes of SIG elections—from the grassroots to parliamentary level.
“Our authority to organize SIG elections is based on the Constitution and other laws. These groups are not optional—they are a core part of Uganda’s inclusive democracy,” Kayondo stated.
Journalists were taken through the 14 legal instruments that mandate and guide SIG elections, including the 1995 Constitution, Electoral Commission Act, and Local Governments Act.
Mucunguzi also used the platform to call for responsible journalism, especially in an era of misinformation.
“In a time when AI-generated fake content can easily mislead the public, journalists must return to the basics of fact-checking and verification,” he noted.
The Electoral Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and continuous engagement with the media throughout the electoral calendar.
“Elections must not bring violence or division. They should bring pride, unity, and international credibility to Uganda,” added Kayondo in his closing remarks.
The EC pledged to hold more such sessions in the future, making today’s briefing a key step toward improving public understanding and participation in Uganda’s Special Interest Group elections.
