The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that 38 presidential hopefuls have successfully submitted supporter signatures, marking a crucial milestone in the road to Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, said the aspirants had met the threshold under the Presidential Elections Act, which requires endorsements from at least 100 registered voters in not fewer than 98 districts a total of 9,800 signatures.
“Verification involves matching names, signatures, and voter records,” Byabakama explained. “If everything checks out, we grant a compliance certificate, paving the way for nomination fees and official clearance.”
With the initial hurdle cleared, the Commission has scheduled nomination slots for September 23 and 24 at its new offices in Lweza, Entebbe.
Byabakama noted the relocation aims to ease congestion and streamline the process.
He praised those who submitted early but issued a warning to more than 180 other aspirants who picked forms in August. “Verification takes time. Don’t wait until the last minute.”
Among the 38 cleared aspirants are familiar faces from the 2021 presidential race. They include; President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM), who filed over 2.2 million signatures after his party endorsed him for a potential seventh term, Robert Kyagulanyi (NUP), better known as Bobi Wine, who secured 35 percent of the vote in the last election,
Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC), running on his party’s ticket as Secretary General and Jimmy Akena (UPC), party president and son of the late Dr. Milton Obote.
Other entrants include Joseph Kabuleta (NEED), despite wrangles within his party, Norbert Mao (DP), also facing internal disputes, John Katumba, Uganda’s youngest-ever presidential aspirant in 2021 who is back as an independent, and Peter Walubengo Mayanja (UFA), a perennial contender.
Byabakama revealed that the verification team has already flagged irregularities in some submissions, including endorsements from minors as young as 13 and supporters listed in incorrect districts.“These errors could sink a campaign,” he cautioned.
The EC chairperson further disclosed that the Commission is concurrently handling nearly 100 petitions from local elections, about 30 of which have already been resolved.
He stressed that all parties are given a fair hearing.
He added that the Commission is also arbitrating leadership disputes within DP, UPC, and NEED, where rival factions are fighting for the presidential flag.
“We’re determining authentic representatives to keep the process fair,” Byabakama said.
