What you need to know about the ongoing 2026 presidential nomination process as explained by the Electoral Commission

Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has officially announced Tuesday, September 23rd, and Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, as the designated dates for the nomination of candidates for the 2026 Presidential Elections. This crucial exercise marks a significant milestone on the country’s electoral roadmap.

Aspiring candidates will present their nominations at the Electoral Commission Head Office Grounds, located on Plot 2508, Lubowa, Kigo-Lweza Road, within Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council in Wakiso District. The nominations will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on each of the appointed days.

The Commission has underscored the importance of this phase, expressing appreciation to all stakeholders, including political parties, organizations, and independent aspirants, for their continued support and participation in the electoral process.

Eligibility and Key Requirements

To be nominated as a Presidential Candidate, an individual must fulfill several critical requirements:

Be a citizen of Uganda by birth.

Be a registered voter.

Be 18 years of age or older.

Submit certified copies of educational qualifications confirming a minimum formal education of Advanced (A) Level or its equivalent.

For aspiring candidates whose academic qualifications are equivalent to A-Level or were obtained outside Uganda, a certificate issued by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is mandatory.

The EC emphasized that such a certificate “should have been submitted to the Electoral Commission by now,” indicating a pre-nomination screening process for academic credentials.

Supporter Verification and Deadlines

A significant requirement for presidential aspirants is to be supported by not less than one hundred (100) registered voters, drawn from at least ninety-eight (98) districts, which constitutes two-thirds (2/3) of all districts in Uganda.

Due to the substantial number of signatures required, the EC has issued a firm reminder to aspirants to submit their lists of supporters to the Electoral Commission for verification at least two weeks before the nomination dates. This sets the deadline for submission of supporter lists at Wednesday, September 10th, 2025.

This advance submission, the Commission explained, is vital for efficient verification, allowing aspirants to proceed with fulfilling other requirements such as paying the non-refundable nomination fee and booking an appointment for their specific nomination slot, thereby ensuring a smooth process.

Broader Electoral Context

The nomination of presidential candidates is a pivotal step in the broader implementation of the Roadmap for the 2025/2026 General Elections. This phase will be followed by the official campaign period, culminating in polling for Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Council positions—including City/District, Municipality/City Division, and Sub-County, Town, and Municipal Division levels—as well as Special Interest Group (SIG) Representatives. These elections are scheduled to be conducted between January 12th and February 9th, 2026.

Call for Peace

In light of the unfolding electoral activities, the Electoral Commission urged all aspirants, their supporters, and other stakeholders to “observe and maintain peace in the conduct of the nomination exercise and subsequent electoral activities.” The Commission reiterated its stance, stating, “We should not allow elections to disrupt the prevailing peace and stability in our country.”

Meanwhile, nominations for Local Government Councils Elections 2026 are already underway, having commenced on September 3rd, 2025. The nomination for District/City Chairpersons, Lord Mayor, and Councillors (including SIGs) concluded on September 5th, 2025, with the general Local Government nominations set to run until September 24th, 2025.