Electoral Commission sets January date for Presidential and Parliamentary elections
The decision, made in accordance with Article 61(2) of the Constitution, follows the successful conclusion of presidential candidate nominations on September 23rd and 24th, 2025. Presidential campaigns commenced shortly thereafter on September 29th, 2025, and are currently ongoing.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Thursday, January 15, 2026, as the polling day for both the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. The announcement, made by EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, sets a definitive date for the nation’s pivotal democratic exercise.
The decision, made in accordance with Article 61(2) of the Constitution, follows the successful conclusion of presidential candidate nominations on September 23rd and 24th, 2025. Presidential campaigns commenced shortly thereafter on September 29th, 2025, and are currently ongoing.
Justice Byabakama commended all presidential candidates, their agents and supporters, the Uganda Police Force, the media, and the public for the peaceful conduct observed during the initial three weeks of campaigns. He urged all stakeholders to maintain this commendable spirit throughout the remainder of the campaign period and beyond the elections.
Polling for directly-elected Members of Parliament and District Woman Representatives will occur concurrently with the presidential vote on January 15, 2026.
Additionally, the Commission will appoint and publicize specific dates between January 13th, 2026, and February 9th, 2026, for Delegates’ Conferences to elect Representatives of Special Interest Groups (Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Workers, Youth, and the UPDF) to Parliament. Detailed information regarding the polling process and related procedures will be issued by the Commission in due course.
Upcoming Parliamentary Nominations and Support Desk Established
Attention now turns to the upcoming nomination of candidates for Parliamentary Elections, scheduled for Wednesday, October 22nd, and Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. These nominations will be conducted at respective district and city headquarters across the country, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on each appointed date.
Aspirants will vie for 353 Directly-elected Member of Parliament seats and 146 District Woman Representative positions, in addition to five parliamentary slots each for Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Workers, and Youth.
To be nominated as a parliamentary candidate, an aspirant must be a Ugandan citizen and a registered voter. The nomination process requires the backing of two registered voters, a sworn statement detailing the aspirant’s personal information, and the names and signatures of a minimum of ten registered voters from the candidate’s constituency. A non-refundable nomination fee of UGX 3,000,000 (three million shillings) is also required, payable to the Uganda Administration through designated banks.
In preparation for the extensive nomination exercise, the Electoral Commission has established a Query/Complaints Desk at its Head Offices. This desk is intended to assist the public and election officials with information, verification queries related to the National Voters’ Register, legal guidance, and general inquiries. Toll-free lines (0800 300121 and 0800 300122) have been set up to ensure accessible support from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the nomination period.
The Electoral Commission reiterated its call for all participants, agents, supporters, and the general public to “uphold the values of peace, dignity, and mutual respect” throughout the nomination process, the upcoming campaign period, and the elections, ensuring a peaceful electoral process for the country.
