Tuesday, 28 July 2026, has been declared a public holiday in Uganda as the country prepares to hold Local Council elections.
The government says the holiday is intended to give citizens time to participate in the nationwide electoral exercise.
The decision was communicated by the Uganda Media Centre in a statement released on 24 July and signed by its Executive Director, Alan Kasujja.
“To enable you to participate in the Local Council Elections, 28th July, 2026 is a Public Holiday,” the statement reads.
The announcement was made four days before polling day, with eligible voters expected to elect leaders serving at different levels of local administration, including villages, parishes and sub-counties.
Government offices and educational institutions are expected to close on Tuesday, while many private businesses may also adjust their operations to enable employees to vote.
Services considered essential, including health care and security, are expected to continue operating.
Attention now turns to voter participation after the Electoral Commission completed major preparations for the polls, including nominations of candidates and updates to the voters’ register.
Electoral officials have called for a peaceful exercise and encouraged registered voters to take part.
“We encourage all eligible voters to come out and vote peacefully,” an Electoral Commission official said earlier this week.
Local Councils occupy an important position in Uganda’s system of administration because they operate at community level and frequently handle matters that directly affect residents.
They also provide a link between communities and higher levels of government, making the choice of local representatives significant for the delivery of services and administration at grassroots level.
Authorities and other stakeholders have consequently urged citizens to use the public holiday to participate in choosing their local representatives.
The Uganda Media Centre said further election-related announcements would be made through recognised government communication channels.
