The 2026 general election race is quickly heating up after the Electoral Commission (EC) revealed that more than 160 hopefuls have already picked nomination papers in the opening phase of the exercise.
The applicants are targeting positions across the political ladder, including the presidency, Parliament, district chairpersonships, city leadership, and councillorships.
According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, six of the presidential forms were collected on behalf of political parties, while the rest were taken by independents. “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.
The Commission reminded political parties that representatives delegated to pick forms must present authorization letters signed by their Secretary Generals. For all aspirants, national identity cards and proof of being a registered voter are mandatory requirements.
Independent presidential aspirants face additional hurdles, including proof of the minimum academic qualification of Advanced Level or its equivalent, alongside the collection of at least 100 signatures from supporters in two-thirds of Uganda’s districts—a total of 98—before formal nomination can be secured.
While nomination forms for parliamentary seats are accessible through the EC’s official website, those for councillors and local government positions can be obtained from district offices.
Mucunguzi disclosed that the process continues to attract political parties, with at least two expected to pick presidential nomination papers on Monday, August 18, 2025. The details, he noted, would be confirmed later in the day.
The EC has also called for calm and discipline during the exercise. “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.
With the growing number of aspirants within just one weeks, the Commission says the trend points to a highly competitive race as Uganda inches closer to the 2026 polls.
The 2026 general election race is quickly heating up after the Electoral Commission (EC) revealed that more than 160 hopefuls have already picked nomination papers in the opening phase of the exercise.
The applicants are targeting positions across the political ladder, including the presidency, Parliament, district chairpersonships, city leadership, and councillorships.
According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, six of the presidential forms were collected on behalf of political parties, while the rest were taken by independents. “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.
The Commission reminded political parties that representatives delegated to pick forms must present authorization letters signed by their Secretary Generals. For all aspirants, national identity cards and proof of being a registered voter are mandatory requirements.
Independent presidential aspirants face additional hurdles, including proof of the minimum academic qualification of Advanced Level or its equivalent, alongside the collection of at least 100 signatures from supporters in two-thirds of Uganda’s districts—a total of 98—before formal nomination can be secured.
While nomination forms for parliamentary seats are accessible through the EC’s official website, those for councillors and local government positions can be obtained from district offices.
Mucunguzi disclosed that the process continues to attract political parties, with at least two expected to pick presidential nomination papers on Monday, August 18, 2025. The details, he noted, would be confirmed later in the day.
The EC has also called for calm and discipline during the exercise. “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.
With the growing number of aspirants within just one weeks, the Commission says the trend points to a highly competitive race as Uganda inches closer to the 2026 polls.
