Uganda Poetry Society Election Guidelines
2025/ 2026
Drafted by The Uganda Poetry Society Electoral Commission
5th December, 2025.
2025/ 2026 UPS Elections Guidelines
THEME: Redefining the direction of Ugandan Creativity through the arts.
Message from the Chairman.
Dear esteemed members of the Uganda Poetry Society, as we gather together in our
various outstanding capacities and capabilities, we must remember our duty to
structure. No society is without leadership, and good leadership ultimately reflects
growth.
It is with great honour that I, together with my commission members, usher you into a
new phase of leadership. We believe that the journey we are taking is one that is fruitful
with the intention of securing the future of UPS.
As we journey together down this beautiful road, I wish you all Godspeed.
Available Positions
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary General
4. Treasurer
5. Publicity Secretary Communications Officer
6. Programs and Events Coordinator
7. Membership and Welfare Officer
8. Resource Manager
9. Outreach and Partnership Officer
10. Youth and Student Representative
Position Focus
Administrative Primary Focus
Position Role &
Focus Area
President Overall Setting the overall
Strategy & vision, representing
Leadership the Society
externally, and
presiding over all
meetings.
Vice President Internal Stepping in for the
Coordination President,
& Support overseeing
committee work, and
focusing on internal
efficiency and
support systems.
Secretary General Administratio Documenting
n, Records & meetings, managing
Compliance official
communication, and
ensuring the Society
operates legally and
within its bylaws.
Treasurer Financial Managing the
Management budget, overseeing
& finances, and
Accountabilit ensuring
y transparency in all
monetary matters.
Publicity Secretary / Marketing & Managing all social
Communications Public media, press
Officer Relations relations, and
(PR) promoting events
and the Society's
brand to the wider
public.
Programs & Events Event Planning, organising,
Management and executing all
& Execution major UPS activities,
workshops, and
poetry
slams/festivals.
Recruiting new
Membership & Member
Welfare Engagement members, managing
& Services the membership
database, and
addressing the
welfare and needs of
current members.
Curating and
Resource Officer Resource
Management managing the
& Archiving Society’s literary
resources, digital
archives, and
connecting members
to publishing
opportunities.
Building
Outreach & External
relationships with
Partnerships Officer Relations &
sponsors, other arts
Funding
organizations (local
and international),
and securing
grants/partnerships.
Representing the
Youth / Student Focus on
Representative Young Poets interests of younger
members and poets
in educational
institutions, ensuring
the Society nurtures
the next generation.
Election Timeline
● 7th December, 2025: Start of Application Process.
The Electoral Commission will officially start receiving applications from aspiring
candidates.
● 20th December, 2025: Close of Application Process.
The Electoral Commission will officially stop receiving applications from aspiring
candidates.
● 22nd December, 2025: Announcing successful candidates.
The Electoral Commission will announce successful candidates who have
passed the vetting process.
● 22nd December, 2025: Start of Open Campaigns.
Candidates that will have passed the vetting process wil be allow to start
campaigning for their respective positions.
● 9th March, 2026: Election Day.
Candidate Qualification Rules
1. You must be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must be an active, duly registered member of UPS.
3. You must be a Ugandan or registered resident of Uganda, actively living in
the country.
4. You must have an ethical record. (You must have no prior disciplinary
record or ethical violations within the Uganda Poetry Society.)
Application Process for aspiring candidates
All aspiringcandidates should submit the following requirements to be considered;
1.Anapplication letter addressed to the Uganda Poetry Society Electoral
Commission.
2.Acopy of their Ugandan National ID.
3.Acopy of their manifesto.
All theabove information should be sent to [email protected]
Campaign Conduct Rules
1. Non-sectarian and non-partisan conduct. You may not use language, symbols, or
images that promote tribalism, religious hatred, or division. The focus must be
solely on policy and poetry or a blend with other creative arts.
2.Truthfulness and Decorum. You may not, at any one moment, make false,
malicious, derogatory, insulting or exaggerated statements against your
opponents.
3.No bribery or Undue influence. Offering any form of gift, donation, money, or
promise of reward to influence a vote during the campaign period.
4.Digital Etiquette. You are prohibited from engaging in harassment, cyberbullying,
or hate speech online. All digital communications should adhere to the same
standards of decorum as in-person campaigning.
5.Respect for Property and Materials. You may not deface, tear down, or destroy a
rival candidate's posters or digital material.
6. Compliance with EC schedules. All campaigns may only take place during the
official period declared by the EC.
Note: Soliciting other members to carry out prohibited activities on your behalf will be
considered a violation of the Campaign Conduct Rules.
Voter Qualification Rules
1. You must be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must be an active member of UPS.
3. You must be a Ugandan or Registered Resident of Uganda.
Ssempungu Alba Joshua,
Chairman Electoral Commission,
Uganda Poetry Society.
