EC reschedules parliamentary nominations for late October amidst NAM conference hosting duties, outlines full election calendar
Originally slated for October 15th-16th, 2025, the nomination period for Parliamentary candidates has now been moved to October 22nd-23rd, 2025. These nominations will continue to take place at the offices of the respective District/City Returning Officers.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has announced a significant adjustment to the 2026 general election roadmap, rescheduling the nomination of candidates for Parliamentary Elections, including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), to late October 2025. The shift, detailed in a recent press statement, is primarily necessitated by Uganda’s hosting of a major international event.
Originally slated for October 15th-16th, 2025, the nomination period for Parliamentary candidates has now been moved to October 22nd-23rd, 2025. These nominations will continue to take place at the offices of the respective District/City Returning Officers.
The EC clarified that the change is due to Uganda’s role as host of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-term Review Conference, an event scheduled for the original nomination dates (October 15th-16th, 2025). This high-profile international engagement will bring together Ugandan government officials, legislators, and representatives from NAM member states and various international agencies. Key government institutions involved in the electoral process will be directly engaged in the planning, security, and diplomatic coordination of the conference.
“This adjustment is necessitated by Uganda’s role as host of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-term Review Conference,” the EC statement read, adding that the move aims “to facilitate participation, administrative efficiency, and national focus during the international event.”
In addition to the parliamentary nomination change, the Electoral Commission also provided a comprehensive timeline for other key electoral activities leading up to the 2026 general elections, specifically outlining the period for presidential election campaigns.
Key Adjusted Electoral Activities and Dates:
Nomination of Candidates for Presidential Elections: September 23rd – 24th, 2025.
Harmonisation of candidates’ campaign programmes for Presidential Elections: September 25th – 27th, 2025.
Conduct of candidates’ campaigns (Presidential): September 29th, 2025 – January 12th, 2026.
Nomination of Candidates for Parliamentary Elections (including SIGs): October 22nd – 23rd, 2025 (Revised Dates).
Conduct of candidates’ campaigns (Parliamentary and Local Governments, including SIGs): November 10th, 2025 – January 12th, 2026.
Polling Period for Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Councils (all levels, including SIGs Representatives): January 12th – February 9th, 2026.
The revised schedule aims to prevent conflict with Uganda’s international diplomatic commitments while ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of the upcoming general elections. Political parties and aspiring candidates are advised to take note of the new dates to adequately prepare for the electoral
