Uganda’s 2026 election race is off to a busy start, with the Electoral Commission (EC) confirming that more than 160 individuals have picked nomination forms in the first weeks of the exercise.
Aspirants are seeking positions ranging from the presidency to Members of Parliament, district and city chairpersons, and local councillors.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said six of the presidential nomination forms were collected on behalf of political parties, while the rest were picked by independent candidates.
“This week marks the end of the second week of picking nominations. By the close of last week, over 160 people had picked presidential nomination forms, six of whom collected them on behalf of political parties,” he said.
Mucunguzi highlighted the requirements under Uganda’s multiparty political system, noting that political parties sending representatives to collect forms must provide authorization letters from their Secretary Generals.
Both aspirants and their representatives are also required to present national identity cards and proof of being registered voters.
Independent presidential candidates must additionally show proof of meeting the minimum academic requirement of Advanced Level or its equivalent.
Once cleared, aspirants are required to gather at least 100 signatures from supporters across two-thirds of Uganda’s districts a total of 98 before they can formally submit their nominations.
Nomination forms for Members of Parliament are available for download from the EC website, while forms for councillors and other local government positions can be collected from district EC offices.
Mucunguzi also revealed that at least two political parties were expected to collect presidential nomination forms on Monday, August 18, 2025, with final details to be confirmed later in the day.
The EC has appealed to all aspirants and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the process.
“We ask all those who will be picking forms, whether from district headquarters or the EC offices in Kampala, to maintain law and order, follow traffic rules, and avoid disrupting normal business,” Mucunguzi emphasized.
