The Electoral Commission (EC) has ruled out the use of biometric devices acquired by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) for the 2026 general elections, citing serious concerns over battery reliability.
During a session with the Parliamentary Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on April 7, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama stated that the biometric kits, used in the 2024 National Census, have shown significant technical flaws. Initially expected to last 18 hours on a single charge, the devices are now running out of power in just seven hours even when left unused.
“If these devices can’t hold power for a full day while idle, how can we rely on them when thousands of voters are queued up on election day?” Byabakama asked, emphasizing the risk such failure could pose to the credibility and efficiency of the voting process.
He stressed that the Commission needs dependable technology that can function throughout long election days without interruptions. “We must ensure voter identification systems are both accurate and durable under pressure,” he added.
As a result, the EC has begun exploring alternative biometric solutions to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2026 elections. Officials say any new equipment must meet strict performance standards, particularly in power efficiency and speed of processing.
The rejection of the UBOS kits has prompted lawmakers to scrutinize the procurement process behind them. Questions have arisen about whether due diligence was followed before the machines were acquired for national use.
The EC’s decision highlights ongoing challenges in government procurement and underscores the importance of rigorous testing before deploying technology in critical national exercises like elections.
