Bobi Wine’s signatures cleared but his scheduled nomination has been delayed by Electoral Commission

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), is now scheduled to be nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2026 elections on Wednesday, September 24th, at 2:00 PM.

This comes after the Electoral Commission (EC) shifted his nomination date, prompting strong accusations from NUP that the move is a deliberate attempt by the “cowardly regime” to hinder his campaign.

The NUP had initially requested a nomination slot for Tuesday, September 23rd, at 10:00 AM. However, the EC, after initially raising concerns about the validity of submitted signatures, confirmed Bobi Wine’s compliance on September 19th but subsequently informed NUP of the new schedule.

“As predicted by many Ugandans, the ridiculous claims about us not submitting enough signatures was intended to push our date of nomination. The cowardly regime did not want us to be nominated on the same day as Museveni!” Bobi Wine stated, referring to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.

The EC’s letter, dated September 22nd, 2025, and signed by Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, notified the NUP Secretary General, Lewis Rubongoya, that their candidate is “scheduled to be nominated on 24th September, 2025 at 2.00 p.m.”

This directly contradicted NUP’s earlier communication to authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, indicating September 23rd as their preferred date.

David Lewis Rubongoya, NUP’s secretary general, echoed Bobi Wine’s sentiments, stating, “It was never about the signatures. It was all about ensuring that Bobi Wine does not nominate on the same day with Gen. Museveni! We’re now pushed to Wednesday 2pm because they don’t want us to hold the scheduled two rallies!”

Bobi Wine further elaborated on the alleged frustration tactics, saying, “Pushing it to 2:00pm is clearly intended to frustrate our plans to have two rallies because the first one was meant to begin at midday.”

Despite the perceived challenges, NUP indicated they had anticipated such maneuvers. “Since we know how they normally behave, as soon as they started those stories, we moved ahead of them and booked both Katwe Grounds and Kaala Playground (Nateete) for both dates! Nothing will stop the revolutionary cause!” Bobi Wine declared, expressing unwavering resolve.

Rubongoya also extended gratitude to supporters, saying, “A BIG THANK YOU to all people across the country who expressed concern and rushed to bring in extra signatures to ensure they had no excuse whatsoever. Wednesday 2:00pm it is. So help us God!”

The Electoral Commission had earlier issued a “Certificate of Verification of Supporters Forms for Aspiring Presidential Candidates, 2026” on September 19th, 2025. The certificate confirmed that “Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert of the National Unity Platform Political Party/Organisation has submitted lists of supporters… and the Electoral Commission has verified at least one hundred (100) supporters from each of at least two thirds (2/3) of all Districts in Uganda and has therefore complied with section 10(1)(b) and 10(3) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap [177].”

The shift in nomination schedule and NUP’s strong reaction highlight the escalating political tensions in Uganda as the country gears up for the 2026 general elections, with opposition parties frequently accusing the ruling NRM party and state institutions of using their power to disadvantage political rivals.