The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued fresh nomination guidelines for presidential aspirants, requiring them to submit endorsement signatures at least two weeks before nomination day. The directive, announced by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama during a press briefing, is part of a broader adjustment to Uganda’s 2025/2026 electoral roadmap.
Presidential hopefuls will be required to collect at least 100 signatures from registered voters in each of at least 98 districts across the country—amounting to a minimum of 9,800 signatures. These endorsements must be submitted to the Commission’s headquarters in Lweeza between September 9th and 22nd, ahead of the official nomination dates scheduled for September 23rd and 24th.
“This time, we are not accepting signatures on nomination day,” Byabakama said. “All presidential aspirants must submit their forms two weeks in advance to allow the Commission ample time to verify the authenticity of signatures and the eligibility of supporters.”
He added that the change is intended to enhance transparency and ensure that only legitimate candidates are cleared to run for the country’s highest office.
The EC also announced that presidential nomination forms will not be downloadable online. Instead, they must be collected physically from the Commission’s offices by aspirants or their designated agents. This is intended to streamline the documentation process and prevent interference or obstruction during signature collection.
In a further step to ensure integrity in the presidential race, independent aspirants must present valid proof of Ugandan citizenship and voter registration status—criteria essential for eligibility.
Beyond the presidential race, the EC has adjusted nomination timelines for other political offices. Nominations for District Chairpersons, Lord Mayors, and Lord Councillors will run from September 3rd to 5th. Municipality or City Division Chairpersons and Councillors will be nominated from September 8th to 10th, while Sub-County, Town, and Municipal Division Chairpersons will complete the nomination process between September 11th and 24th. All nomination forms for these positions will be available for collection starting August 11th at respective electoral offices.
Meanwhile, parliamentary nominations—including directly elected Members of Parliament, District Women Representatives, and representatives of Special Interest Groups—have been rescheduled to October 15th and 16th. Forms for these races will also be available for download from the Electoral Commission’s website starting next week on August 11th.
The EC’s new measures come as Uganda gears up for a high-stakes 2026 General Election. The updated schedule and signature verification requirements reflect a tighter grip on nomination processes, as authorities aim to deliver a credible and well-managed electoral process.
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