Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed 27 political parties as legally recognized and eligible to participate in the 2026 general elections, following the release of an updated register of political organizations.
The Commission explained that the exercise was carried out in line with the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which requires registered parties to maintain active offices, leadership organs, and official contact details.
“The Commission wishes to notify the public that only political parties listed in the updated register are legally recognized and authorized to conduct political activities in Uganda,” the EC noted in a statement, stressing that the update is meant to improve accountability and transparency ahead of the polls.
The register captures a wide spectrum of Uganda’s political field — from dominant forces such as the National Resistance Movement (NRM), National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), to opposition groups like Justice Forum (JEEMA), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), and the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED).
It also features lesser-known or newly rebranded organizations including the Republican Women and Youth Party (RWYP), Forum for Integrity in Leadership (FIL), Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT), and Democratic Front, previously the Green Partisan Party (GPP).
According to the EC, recognition of these parties grants them the legal authority to carry out political activities and field candidates in the elections.
“As we approach the 2026 general elections, the Commission calls upon political parties to comply with the law and conduct their activities peacefully, responsibly, and within the established legal framework,” the EC urged.
The confirmation of the 27 parties marks a critical step on Uganda’s road to 2026, setting the stage for both established contenders and smaller outfits to vie for political influence.