The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a fresh directive to all aspirants intending to contest in the 2025/2026 General Elections, emphasizing the need to verify their academic qualifications ahead of the nomination period.
In a statement, the commission reminded all aspirants for positions including president, Members of Parliament, and local government leadership that they must meet the minimum academic requirement of an Advanced Level (A-Level) certificate or its equivalent.
“For those who obtained the said qualifications or higher outside Uganda, they are required to have their qualifications verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), and obtain a certificate issued by NCHE to that effect,” said EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama.
He clarified that aspirants who possess qualifications they consider equivalent to A-Level, but which were obtained either in Uganda or abroad, must obtain a certificate of equivalency from NCHE.
According to the EC, such aspirants are required to submit the NCHE-issued certificate to the Electoral Commission Headquarters or the District Election Administrator (DEA) in the district they intend to contest, no later than two months before the nomination dates.
Byabakama also noted that academic certificates used in previous elections will not be accepted for verification in the upcoming polls, unless the aspirant has since acquired a higher qualification from an accredited Ugandan institution.
“A certificate of equivalency for previous elections is not relevant for the 2025/2026 General Elections. One is required to obtain a fresh certificate, unless such a person has since acquired a higher qualification obtained in Uganda,” he stated.
However, the Commission made it clear that not all aspirants are required to go through this process. Those who are exempt include: Aspirants with an A-Level certificate obtained in Uganda, those with higher qualifications obtained from Ugandan institutions and aspirants with qualifications higher than A-Level obtained from the former University of East Africa or its constituent colleges.
Byabakama reiterated that these three categories do not need to verify or establish their academic qualifications with the Electoral Commission within the specified timeline.
The clarification comes as political activity intensifies across the country, with parties preparing for internal primaries and a surge in early campaign activity by aspiring candidates.
