Kampala, Uganda – Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that 211 presidential aspirants have so far picked nomination forms ahead of the 2026 general elections.
According to EC Deputy Spokesperson Paul Bukenya, each aspirant is required to collect at least 100 signatures from a minimum of 98 districts across the country, in addition to paying a non-refundable fee of Shs20 million, before being duly nominated.
The nomination exercise is scheduled to take place on September 22–23, 2025, at the Commission headquarters in Kampala.
“This is only the first step. Aspirants must now move to the field to secure endorsements that meet the legal requirements before the Commission can confirm them as official candidates,” Bukenya said.
The EC will then publish the official list of nominated candidates who qualify to contest in the presidential race.
Political observers note that while a large number of aspirants typically pick forms, only a fraction eventually fulfill the stringent nomination requirements.
In 2021, for instance, 87 individuals expressed interest, but only 11 were successfully nominated.
The 2026 elections are widely expected to be one of the most contested in Uganda’s recent history, with both established political parties and new entrants vying for the country’s top office.
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