Kampala, Uganda – Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that any individual seeking to contest for Uganda’s presidency in the 2026 General Election must meet strict legal and logistical requirements within a tight one-month nomination window.
According to the guidelines, aspirants will be required to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of Shs20 million and collect at least 9,800 supporting signatures from registered voters in no fewer than 98 districts across the country.
The requirements stem from provisions in the Presidential Elections Act and are intended to ensure that only serious and nationally supported candidates appear on the ballot.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama stressed that these criteria have not changed in principle, but the timelines and enforcement measures have been tightened to align with the 2026 electoral roadmap.
“The law demands that a presidential aspirant must demonstrate significant national support. The signature requirement is one way of measuring that support before nomination,” Byabakama explained.
Under the updated schedule, aspirants will have just one month from the official start date to gather all signatures, complete paperwork, and submit their nomination fees. This compressed timeline is expected to challenge even well-organized political outfits, given the need to mobilize across nearly every part of the country.
Analysts say this will heavily test the capacity of smaller political parties and independent candidates who lack strong nationwide networks.
Collecting 9,800 verified signatures means gathering at least 100 signatures from each of the required 98 districts. EC officials have warned that duplicate signatures will be disqualified, all signatories must be registered voters in the specific districts they represent and verification will be done against the national voters’ register.
Political observers note that while the threshold is achievable for established parties like the NRM, NUP, and FDC, it could be a formidable hurdle for newcomers.
The Shs20 million nomination fee unchanged from the 2021 elections remains a significant financial barrier for many aspirants. While intended to discourage playful candidacies, critics argue that it entrenches inequality by favoring wealthier individuals and those backed by strong financial networks.
In past elections, several aspirants have failed to get nominated despite announcing presidential bids, largely due to financial constraints and incomplete paperwork.
The nomination rules may reshape Uganda’s 2026 presidential race by reducing the number of fringe or protest candidates, consolidating competition among a smaller pool of well-funded and organized contenders.
Dr. Sarah Katusabe, a political science lecturer at Makerere University, notes that the requirements will “inevitably favor incumbents and major opposition parties with existing infrastructure.”
However, she adds that they could also push candidates to campaign earlier to build nationwide structures.
The EC will release the official nomination dates in the coming months, giving aspirants time to prepare. But Byabakama warned against last-minute mobilization:
“Those who intend to contest should start their preparations now. Waiting for the last week will lead to failure.”
Also read: NUP Screens Aspirants in Masaka Ahead of 2026 General Election
