Electoral Commission Opens First-Ever Regional Offices in Arua City to Boost Service Delivery in West Nile
The newly constructed West Nile Regional Electoral Offices and Storage Facilities were unveiled in a colorful ceremony held on April 28, 2025. The event was attended by key stakeholders from government, civil society, and local leadership within the West Nile sub-region. This marks the very first time in its history that the Electoral Commission has owned permanent premises, setting the foundation for a broader strategy to establish 12 regional offices across the country.
Arua City, Uganda | April 28, 2025
In a historic stride towards enhancing electoral service delivery and institutional efficiency, the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) has officially commissioned its first-ever regional office premises in Arua City, marking a significant milestone in the Commission’s infrastructural development journey.
The newly constructed West Nile Regional Electoral Offices and Storage Facilities were unveiled in a colorful ceremony held on April 28, 2025. The event was attended by key stakeholders from government, civil society, and local leadership within the West Nile sub-region. This marks the very first time in its history that the Electoral Commission has owned permanent premises, setting the foundation for a broader strategy to establish 12 regional offices across the country.
Speaking at the official launch, Julius Mucunguzi, head of public relations and communication at the Electoral Commission described the opening of the Arua office as a "landmark moment" in the Commission’s mission to bring electoral services closer to the people.
“This is a strategic move towards decentralization and improved operational efficiency. We are proud to begin this regional rollout in the West Nile, a region that has shown strong civic participation over the years,” Mucunguzi said.
The modern facility comprises administrative offices and specialized storage spaces designed to safeguard vital electoral materials. This development will enhance the Commission’s capacity to organize and manage electoral activities in the region with improved speed, transparency, and logistical coordination.
The construction of the Arua regional office was undertaken by NEC Works, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), under the supervision of Eng. Brian Buhanda and his technical team. Their work was praised for its adherence to high standards and timely delivery.
According to the EC, the establishment of regional offices is aligned with the long-term strategic plan of building institutional independence, professionalism, and efficiency. The offices are expected to serve as hubs for voter registration, stakeholder engagement, training of election officials, and dissemination of electoral information across districts in the West Nile sub-region.
Local leaders and civil society actors in attendance commended the EC for the investment and expressed hope that it will deepen democratic participation and electoral integrity in the region.
The Arua facility represents the first step in a phased plan to construct similar regional offices in the remaining 11 designated zones across Uganda. As preparations intensify for the 2025/2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission’s infrastructural expansion is poised to play a critical role in ensuring smooth and inclusive electoral processes.
