By Enock Katamba | Uncovered UG News
Published: February 19, 2026
Electoral Commission, (EC) in Uganda faces backlash for delays in payments to thousands of temporary poll workers and security personnel who assisted the 2026 national elections.
During the exercise, the commission hired 10,000 temporary staff nationwide, where polling officials earned Shs100,000 for election-day tasks; their deputies received Shs75,000.
Additionally, workers also got basic refreshments, such as bottled water, soda, and biscuits. More than a month after voting ended, many still await their allowances.
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Recently, security workers who were sent to guard the presidential candidates, Members of Parliament, and other candidates reported unpaid payments of 10 million Ugandan shillings.
EC spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi highlighted the main cause. Payments flow through mobile money systems, but transfers fail when phone numbers do not match the beneficiary’s registered name. This mismatch precludes successful processing. The Commission ranks officials who handled the presidential election first. Verification continues for the remaining groups.
Muchunguzi encouraged patience. Affected workers should wait while the EC corrects records and completes payouts. He highlighted that precise identifying data ensure smooth payments. The delays underscore a recurring issue with large-scale public payments.
In conclusion, the workers can help speed things up by checking their mobile money registrations match government records.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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