The nationwide exercise for the update of the National Voters Register has seen about 1.8 million Ugandans register to vote at the various centers that are registering Ugandans to vote.

This exercise which has now entered into the fifth week required the Electoral Commission to do nationwide sensitization informing Ugandans that have attained 18 years of age that it is their right and responsibility to register to vote.

Uganda Electoral Commision Chairman, Dr. Badru Kiggundu

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission Dr. Badru Kiggundu has told Journalists in Kampala that the statistics given on the number of people that have registered are based on the last capture date of 26th May 2010

 Kiggundu says the registration of voters will continue and he strongly hopes that the targeted number of eligible Ugandans will register by the end of the exercise on 14th June.

He appeals to all eligible Ugandans to turn up at the designated update centers within their respective parishes to register before the end of the registration exercise.

Kiggundu has also revealed that the Electoral commission has disbursed more funds to the districts for the purpose of paying the various field officials that are working at the registration centers.

The 1.8 million new voters add to an already estimated 10 million registered voters as Uganda prepares for general presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in 2011.

By Zacharia Tiberindwa, Ultimate Media