Ugandans will have two days off from work next week as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announces January 15 and 16, 2026, as public holidays to allow voters to take part in the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
The move comes after a heated campaign period and aims to give citizens uninterrupted time to exercise their democratic rights.
The declaration was made through a Legal Notice under the Public Holidays Act, Cap. 174, which was officially gazetted by the government.
"In exercise of the powers conferred upon the President by Section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays Act, I declare 15th and 16th January, 2026, to be observed as public holidays throughout Uganda for the purpose of enabling citizens to participate in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections," the notice stated.
Authorities said the break is meant to help voters travel, join queues, and cast their ballots without work-related interruptions. The holidays will apply to both public offices and private companies, underlining the importance of citizen participation in the elections.
President Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, is seeking another term. In addition to choosing the president, the elections will decide the composition of Parliament, with 21.6 million registered voters participating in three separate polls: the presidential election, the selection of 353 constituency MPs, and the election of 146 women representatives, one from each district.
The presidential race will again see Museveni face opposition leader Bobi Wine, marking their second direct contest. In the 2021 vote, Museveni, aged 81, secured 58 per cent of the ballots while Bobi Wine garnered 35 per cent, a contest overshadowed by claims of rigging and suppression of opposition activities.
Under Ugandan law, a candidate must obtain over half of all votes cast to avoid a runoff under the country’s two-round voting system. Despite this rule, many citizens have voiced concerns about the credibility and fairness of the upcoming elections.
Uganda’s elections follow a tense vote in neighbouring Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu was declared winner with 31.9 million votes, representing 97.66 per cent of the total.
The Tanzanian election drew criticism from opposition parties and international observers, with pre-election detentions and disqualifications of key opposition figures.
