Museveni Declares Public Holidays for Elections

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni declared January 15 and 16, 2026, as public holidays.
Moreover, the announcement aims to allow citizens time to participate in presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled next week.

Legal Notice Under Public Holidays Act
Museveni issued the declaration through a Legal Notice under the Public Holidays Act, Cap. 174.
Additionally, the government formally gazetted the notice ahead of the polls to ensure nationwide observance.

The statement emphasized that the holidays would enable citizens to travel, queue, and cast ballots without work-related interruptions.

Nationwide Observance of Elections
The holidays apply to both public and private institutions across Uganda.
Consequently, the two-day break prepares the nation for a closely watched election.

Museveni, in power since 1986, seeks another term, while the elections will also determine Parliament’s composition.

Voter Participation and Main Contenders
Uganda’s 21.6 million registered voters will take part in three elections.
Specifically, they will elect the president, 353 constituency Members of Parliament, and 146 women representatives.

President Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine remains the main contenders, facing off for the second time.
Museveni, aged 81, won the 2021 election with 58 percent against Wine’s 35 percent.
However, that poll faced allegations of rigging and opposition crackdowns, raising credibility concerns.

Electoral Law and Regional Context
Ugandan law requires a candidate to secure 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a runoff.
Furthermore, concerns persist over transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

The Ugandan elections follow Tanzania’s contested poll held four months earlier.
President Samia Suluhu won with 97.66 percent, though opposition groups criticized the process.
Therefore, Uganda’s upcoming elections will be closely monitored both locally and internationally.