The move comes amid heightened local and international attention on how the polls will be conducted across the country.
The observation mission is being led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a respected statesman who has previously overseen several election observation efforts across Africa.
The observation mission is being led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a respected statesman who has previously overseen several election observation efforts across Africa.
His appointment signals the importance regional organisations are placing on Uganda’s electoral process.
The mission has been jointly organised by three major regional bodies: the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The mission has been jointly organised by three major regional bodies: the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Together, they form the AU-COMESA-IGAD Election Observation Mission (EOM).
In a statement released on Sunday, January 11, 2026, IGAD confirmed that the observer team had officially arrived in Uganda following a formal invitation from the Ugandan government and the country’s Electoral Commission.
According to the statement, the mission will closely monitor the entire voting process, starting from the opening of polling stations, through voting and closing, to the counting of ballots.
In a statement released on Sunday, January 11, 2026, IGAD confirmed that the observer team had officially arrived in Uganda following a formal invitation from the Ugandan government and the country’s Electoral Commission.
According to the statement, the mission will closely monitor the entire voting process, starting from the opening of polling stations, through voting and closing, to the counting of ballots.
Observers are expected to be deployed across all regions of Uganda to ensure nationwide coverage.
Goodluck Jonathan will be assisted by Shemsudin Ahmed Roble, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, and Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene from IGAD. The mission comprises 84 short-term observers drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
These include ambassadors accredited to the African Union, officials from election management bodies, civil society representatives, election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, as well as youth organisation representatives.
Goodluck Jonathan will be assisted by Shemsudin Ahmed Roble, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, and Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene from IGAD. The mission comprises 84 short-term observers drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
These include ambassadors accredited to the African Union, officials from election management bodies, civil society representatives, election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, as well as youth organisation representatives.
The diverse composition is intended to provide a balanced and professional assessment of the electoral process.
IGAD noted that the observers come from several African countries, reflecting a broad regional approach to election monitoring.
IGAD noted that the observers come from several African countries, reflecting a broad regional approach to election monitoring.
The countries represented include Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and many others from across the continent.
The mission emphasised that it will not interfere with Uganda’s electoral process but will instead observe and assess it against established regional and international standards.
The mission emphasised that it will not interfere with Uganda’s electoral process but will instead observe and assess it against established regional and international standards.
Its evaluation will be guided by key legal and policy frameworks, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections, and international principles for election observation.
Beyond observing polling day activities, the mission will also engage with various stakeholders involved in the elections.
Beyond observing polling day activities, the mission will also engage with various stakeholders involved in the elections.
These include state authorities, the Electoral Commission of Uganda, political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and members of the international community based in the country.
Uganda’s 2026 General Elections have drawn significant attention, with concerns raised by opposition groups and rights organisations over the political environment, campaign restrictions, and the safety of opposition supporters.
Uganda’s 2026 General Elections have drawn significant attention, with concerns raised by opposition groups and rights organisations over the political environment, campaign restrictions, and the safety of opposition supporters.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for decades, is seeking another term, while opposition leader Bobi Wine remains a central figure in the race.
The deployment of the AU-COMESA-IGAD observer mission is expected to play a key role in promoting transparency, confidence, and credibility in the electoral process.
The deployment of the AU-COMESA-IGAD observer mission is expected to play a key role in promoting transparency, confidence, and credibility in the electoral process.
The mission’s final report will be released after the elections, detailing its findings and recommendations.
Hello, my name is Yoruba. I'm a 25 year old self-employed blogger from the Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment