Election Observation in Africa: Evidence from the Uganda 2026 General Elections

This study examined election observation in Africa using evidence from Uganda’s 2026 general elections, with the aim of assessing how observer missions influence electoral transparency and perceived electoral integrity. The background of the study is grounded in increasing concerns about electoral credibility in African democracies, where observation missions are widely used but their effectiveness remains debated. The objective evaluated the extent to which election observation contributed to transparency, voter confidence, and overall electoral integrity in Uganda’s 2026 elections. A mixed methods case study design was adopted, combining survey data from 450 respondents, official electoral statistics, observer reports, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. The results show that observer presence and especially observation coverage have a significant positive relationship with electoral integrity, with coverage showing the strongest effect. However, findings also reveal uneven distribution of observers across regions and persistent logistical and technical challenges that limited full effectiveness. The study concluded that election observation contributes meaningfully to improving electoral credibility in Uganda, but its impact is conditional on adequate coverage, institutional coordination, and operational capacity. The study recommends strengthening observer deployment systems, improving rural coverage, and enhancing coordination between electoral stakeholders to improve future electoral integrity.