The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered internet service providers to block access to an unauthorised website that was offering voter location and verification services, citing risks to the integrity of the electoral process.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, UCC said the decision followed a formal request from the Electoral Commission (EC), which raised concerns about a platform providing voter-related information without approval from mandated authorities.
Although UCC did not officially name the website, it was later identified as registry.ugtally.com, reportedly operated by an entity known as FANON. The platform had been promoted as a tool to help voters check registration details and polling stations.
UCC said telecom companies had been instructed to restrict access to the site within Uganda to prevent the spread of misleading information and protect public data systems.
“This action is intended to safeguard the integrity of public information systems and ensure the orderly conduct of electoral processes,” the commission said.
EC Distances Itself from the Platform
In a separate statement, the Electoral Commission warned the public against using registry.ugtally.com, stressing that the site is neither authorised nor affiliated with the commission.
The EC said FANON had never applied for or received accreditation as a voter education organisation, adding that the mandate to create and manage voter verification systems lies solely with the commission.
“The public is strongly cautioned that this unauthorised website may contain misleading or inaccurate information and may pose risks to users,” the EC said.
Ugandans were advised not to visit the site, submit personal details, or interact with its services, with the commission warning that it would not be responsible for how any data shared through the platform is used.
Legal Backing and Wider Implications
The EC cited Articles 60 and 61 of the 1995 Constitution, which grant it exclusive authority to compile, maintain, and update the National Voters Register. Any unauthorised access, hosting, or distribution of voter data, the commission said, is an offence punishable under the law.Voters were urged to verify their details only through the EC’s official platform.
The crackdown comes amid heightened enforcement of data protection laws as the 2026 elections draw closer. It also follows the recent arrest and remand of human rights lawyer Sarah Bireete, who faces charges related to the unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data linked to the National Voters Register. She has denied the charges, with court set to rule on her bail application later this month.
Last week, the Electoral Commission announced that Uganda’s National Voters Register now stands at 21,681,491 voters, spread across 50,739 polling stations nationwide.
As the election season approaches, authorities say only official channels should be trusted for voter information, warning that unauthorised platforms could mislead the public and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
