The Electoral Commission (EC) will soon get a permanent home courtesy of government support.
On Wednesday, 30th July 2025, officials from Ministry of Works, National Housing and office of the Pime Minister held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially commence construction of its first permanent headquarters
This historic event took place at the EC grounds in Lweza, Lubowa, located opposite the Lweza Church of Uganda Conference Center and visible from the busy Entebbe-Kampala highway.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja stated that providing the Commission with a permanent home underscores Uganda’s democratic credentials and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Constitution, which under Article 60 mandates the establishment of a permanent electoral body to organize and supervise elections and referenda.
“The acquisition of land and commencement of construction demonstrates the NRM government’s recognition of the Commission’s critical role in democratic governance,” she said.
She added that the project, once complete, will cut government rental costs by consolidating ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) into a centralized campus.
Since its establishment over two decades ago, the Electoral Commission has operated from rented office spaces across Kampala, a situation that has often posed logistical challenges and limited the institution’s capacity.
The decision to build a dedicated headquarters marks a significant milestone, symbolizing the Commission’s growth and maturity as a key democratic institution in Uganda.
According to engineers the new complex will feature a range of modern facilities designed to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Planned infrastructure includes secure warehouses to safeguard sensitive electoral materials such as ballot papers, voting equipment, and voter registers, ensuring their protection ahead of elections.
The headquarters will also boast administrative offices equipped with the latest technology, enabling more efficient workflow and collaboration among staff.
In addition, the complex will house conference and training spaces for workshops, stakeholder meetings, and capacity-building programs essential for preparing electoral officials and observers.
A dedicated media center will further enhance transparency and communication by providing a professional space for press briefings and public outreach.
Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanja officiated at the event
Commission’s Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, emphasize the importance of this development in strengthening the Commission’s independence and enhancing its capacity to conduct credible, transparent elections.
He said the new headquarters will improve operational efficiency and logistical coordination—critical factors in managing increasingly complex electoral processes.
“This investment aligns with the government’s broader Vision 2040 development agenda, which prioritizes the strengthening of democratic institutions and governance frameworks,” Byabakama said.
The Electoral Commission handed over its former headquarters on Plot 55, Jinja Road, Kampala, to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) in March 2023.
This followed its relocation to Plot 1-3/5, Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala—formerly the Head Office of the National Housing and Construction Company Ltd.
The new site had previously been the main office of the Government Central Purchasing Corporation (GCPC) until 1996, when it became the home of the Interim Electoral Commission (IEC), established following the successful conduct of the 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Prior to that, the IEC operated out of Ruth Towers on Plot 15A, Clement Hill Road, Nakasero. Plans to convert the new structures into modern offices and to build a permanent facility were initially made.
However, these were not realized after the Ministry of Works and Transport advised that the land would be affected by the development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project (KFCRUP). UNRA is yet to demolish the existing facilities on the site to pave the way for this major infrastructure
